variola

noun va·ri·o·la \ və-ˈrī-ə-lə ; ˌver-ē-ˈō-lə \

|Updated on: 28 May 2018

Definition of variola

: smallpox; also : its causative poxvirus (species Variola virus of the genus Orthopoxvirus)

Recent Examples of variola from the Web

But other viruses, including influenza and variola (pox) have been found in archaeological human remains as much as 400 years old, and Mühlemann says that others like herpes viruses, parvoviruses, and adenoviruses might be good candidates.

— kiona n. smith, Ars Technica, "Genghis Khan’s Mongol horde probably had rampant Hepatitis B," 11 May 2018
Additional testing of the variola samples is under way to determine if the material in the vials is viable (i.e., can grow in tissue culture).

— maryn mckenna, WIRED, "Found: Forgotten Vials of Smallpox," 8 July 2014

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'variola.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of variola

borrowed from Medieval Latin, "pustule, pox," going back to Late Latin, "pustule," from varius "affected by pox, leprous" (adjective derivative of varus "pimple" + Latin -ola, variant of -ula -ule after vowels — more at varix

Note: Late Latin varius is very likely independent of classical varius "having contrasting colors, varied" (see ¹various).

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1543

in the meaning defined above

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