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

Matlock is currently using the Saphnelo infusion, an intravenous mode of treating her lupus. —Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026

Raised a Christian, Turner would develop a particular impatience for organized religion, one that was born out of the death of his younger sister from lupus at age 17. —Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 6 May 2026

Ultimately, Munn ended up with a diagnosis of lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease. —Libby Smith, CBS News, 1 May 2026

One patient went to the ER with a blood clot that had traveled to their lungs and the model correctly attributed it to the patient’s history of lupus before two physicians who also reviewed the case file. —O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 1 May 2026

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