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black death
noun
often capitalized B&D
1
2
: a severe epidemic of plague and especially bubonic plague that occurred in Asia and Europe in the 14th century
Word History
Etymology
from the black patches formed on the skin of its victims
First Known Use
1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Articles Related to black death
Dictionary Entries Near black death
Cite this Entry
“Black death.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black%20death. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.
Kids Definition
black death
noun
: plague (as bubonic plague) caused by a bacterium and especially in the epidemic form that spread through Asia and Europe in the 14th century
also
: the 14th-century epidemic of plague
Medical Definition
black death
noun
variants
or Black Death
: plague sense 2
also
: a severe epidemic of plague and especially bubonic plague that occurred in Asia and Europe in the 14th century
More from Merriam-Webster on black death
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about black death
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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