Definition of measles
1a : an acute contagious disease that is caused by a morbillivirus (species Measles virus) and is marked especially by an eruption of distinct red circular spots —called also rubeolab : any of various eruptive diseases (such as German measles)
2 [Middle English mesel infested with tapeworms, literally, leprous, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin misellus leper, from Latin, wretch, from misellus, diminutive of miser miserable] : infestation with or disease caused by larval tapeworms in the muscles and tissues
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Origin and Etymology of measles
Middle English meseles, plural of mesel measles, spot characteristic of measles; akin to Middle Dutch masel spot characteristic of measles
First Known Use: 14th century
MEASLES Defined for English Language Learners
measles
playDefinition of measles for English Language Learners
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: a disease that causes a fever and red spots on the skin
MEASLES Defined for Kids
measles
playDefinition of measles for Students
1 : a contagious disease in which there are fever and red spots on the skin
2 : any of several diseases (as German measles) resembling true measles
Medical Dictionary
measles
playMedical Definition of measles
1a: an acute contagious disease that is caused by a paramyxovirus of the genus Morbillivirus (species Measles virus), that commences with catarrhal symptoms, conjunctivitis, cough, and Koplik's spots on the oral mucous membrane, and that is marked by the appearance on the third or fourth day of an eruption of distinct red circular spots which coalesce in a crescentic form, are slightly raised, and after the fourth day of the eruption gradually decline—called also rubeolab: any of various eruptive diseases (as German measles)
2: infestation with or disease caused by larval tapeworms in the muscles and tissues; specifically : infestation of cattle and swine with cysticerci of tapeworms that as adults parasitize humans—compare measle
Learn More about measles
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Spanish Central: Translation of measles Nglish: Translation of measles for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of measles for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about measles
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