Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

primary syphilis

noun

Definition of primary syphilis

: the first stage of syphilis that is marked by the development of a chancre and the spread of the causative spirochete in the tissues of the body

First Known Use of primary syphilis

circa 1890

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

Medical Dictionary

primary syphilis

noun

medical Definition of primary syphilis

: the first stage of syphilis that is marked by the development of a chancre and the spread of the causative spirochete in the tissues of the body

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up primary syphilis? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

volatile

play

subject to rapid or unexpected change

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  2. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  3. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  4. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

  5. emolument 'the returns arising from office or employment usually in the form of compensation or perquisites'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

primary syphilis

Test Your Vocabulary

The Eponym Quiz

  • rubens-painting
  • Which is the best synonym of bowdlerize?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games