yaws

1 of 2

noun

ˈyȯz 

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

: a contagious tropical disease especially of children caused by a spirochete (Treponema pallidum pertenue) closely resembling the causative agent of syphilis and marked by infectious ulcerative skin lesions with later bone involvement

called also frambesia

yaws

2 of 2

third person singular of yaw entry 2

Word History

Etymology

Noun

probably from an English-based creole of the Caribbean

First Known Use

Noun

1679, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

yaws

singular or plural noun

ˈyȯz 

: a tropical contagious skin disease especially of children caused by a bacterium that is a spirochete

Medical Definition

yaws

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction

ˈyȯz 

: an infectious contagious tropical disease especially of children that is caused by a spirochete of the genus Treponema (T. pallidum pertenue) and that is characterized by a primary ulcerating lesion on the skin followed by a secondary stage in which ulcers develop all over the body and by a third stage in which the bones are involved

Yaws is a chronic childhood infection spread by casual contact and causing long-lasting sores on the legs and and arms. In time this infection attacks the bones, leaving scars similar to those from syphilis.

—John Noble Wilford

Other threats came from organisms co-evolving with humans, including tapeworms and such bacteria as Treponema, the agent of syphilis, and the similar skin infection, yaws.

—Roy Porter

called also frambesia, pian