Definition of variola
: smallpox; also : its causative poxvirus (species Variola virus of the genus Orthopoxvirus)
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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).
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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 ◆Late Latin varius is very likely independent of classical varius “having contrasting colors, varied” (see 1various).
First Known Use: 1543
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