lupus

noun

lu·​pus ˈlü-pəs 

1

: any of several diseases characterized by skin lesions

especially : systemic lupus erythematosus sense 2

2

Lupus astronomy : a southern constellation that is visible between the constellations of Scorpius and Centaurus and that is represented by the figure of a wolf

Above Lupus lies Scorpius, one of the few constellations whose star pattern actually suggests the object that it is named for. In the myths, the scorpion was assigned by Artemis, the hunting goddess, to kill Orion, far across the sky.

—Don Moser

Examples of lupus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Recognizing the Symptoms Granulomatous mastitis is a chronic, unpredictable breast inflammation with flare-ups similar to autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or inflammatory thyroid disorders. —Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Sep. 2025

More than 90% of people with lupus will experience joint or muscle pain, according to the National Institutes of Health. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025

Worsening of Existing Skin Conditions Sun exposure worsens inflammatory conditions like rosacea, lupus, or eczema, said Kopelman. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 15 Sep. 2025

Fungal infection, yeast infection, some kind of autoimmune lesion such as pemphigus or lupus, acne, and solar dermatitis are just a few other possibilities that come to mind. —Dr. John De Jong, Boston Herald, 14 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Latin, wolf

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lupus

• lupus erythematosus
• systemic lupus erythematosus

Rhymes for lupus

• croupous

Medical Definition

lupus

noun

lu·​pus ˈlü-pəs 

: any of several diseases (as lupus vulgaris or systemic lupus erythematosus) characterized by skin lesions