lupus

noun

lu·​pus ˈlü-pəs 

1

: any of several diseases characterized by skin lesions

especially : systemic lupus erythematosus sense 2

2

Lupus astronomy : a southern constellation that is visible between the constellations of Scorpius and Centaurus and that is represented by the figure of a wolf

Above Lupus lies Scorpius, one of the few constellations whose star pattern actually suggests the object that it is named for. In the myths, the scorpion was assigned by Artemis, the hunting goddess, to kill Orion, far across the sky.

—Don Moser

Examples of lupus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After initially being misdiagnosed with lupus and perimenopause, a doctor finally found a rare cancerous tumor in her pancreas. —Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 21 Apr. 2025

Providers have experience treating conditions such as Long Covid, lupus, alopecia, and Hashimoto’s disease—a diagnosis public figures like Tanya Rad have openly shared. —Sindhya Valloppillil, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025

Research suggestions medical marijuana can help with lupus. —Tribune Content Agency, Mercury News, 20 May 2025

Autoimmune diseases: Early menopause may be related to lupus or autoimmune hypothyroidism. —Mónica Heras, Vogue, 12 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Latin, wolf

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lupus

• lupus erythematosus
• systemic lupus erythematosus

Rhymes for lupus

• croupous

Medical Definition

lupus

noun

lu·​pus ˈlü-pəs 

: any of several diseases (as lupus vulgaris or systemic lupus erythematosus) characterized by skin lesions