Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

variola

noun
Save Word
va·​ri·​o·​la | \ və-ˈrī-ə-lə How to pronounce variola (audio) ; ˌver-ē-ˈō-lə How to pronounce variola (audio) \

Definition of variola

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

Examples of variola in a Sentence

Recent Examples on 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.

First Known Use of variola

1543, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for 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 various entry 1).

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about variola

Time Traveler for variola

Time Traveler

The first known use of variola was in 1543

See more words from the same year

Statistics for variola

Cite this Entry

“Variola.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/variola. Accessed 12 Jul. 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for variola

variola

noun
va·​ri·​o·​la | \ və-ˈrī-ə-lə How to pronounce variola (audio) \

Medical Definition of variola

: smallpox also : the poxvirus of the genus Orthopoxvirus (species Variola virus) that is the causative agent of smallpox

More from Merriam-Webster on variola

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with variola

Comments on variola

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

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

frisson

Listen to the pronunciation of frisson

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words for Summer: A Quiz

  • a closeup of a sunflower
  • Which of the following words means “of or relating to summer”?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

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