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Definition of smallpox
: an acute contagious febrile disease of humans that is caused by a poxvirus (species Variola virus of the genus Orthopoxvirus), is characterized by a skin eruption with pustules, sloughing, and scar formation, and is believed to have been eradicated globally by widespread vaccination
— called also variola
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Time Traveler for smallpox
The first known use of smallpox was circa 1562
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