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

Shortly after she was diagnosed with class 3 lupus nephritis, a serious complication in which lupus attacks the kidneys. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 1 Aug. 2026

Resident Yvette Lopez, who has lupus, has been carting over water from a friend. — Elijah Westbrook, CBS News, 30 July 2026

People older than 60 are most at risk, or those with weakened immune systems and chronic conditions like cancer, lupus and multiple sclerosis. — Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 29 July 2026

Illnesses like lupus, inflammatory bowel disease and others have been added to the list of qualifying conditions as well. — Will Yakowicz, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

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