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Leper: meaning, definitions and examples

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leper

 

[ ˈlɛpər ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

person with leprosy

A leper is a person who suffers from leprosy, an infectious disease that causes severe skin lesions and nerve damage. Historically, leprosy has been stigmatized and associated with social exclusion, leading to the isolation of afflicted individuals in leper colonies. In modern times, the disease is often curable with antibiotics, but the social stigma remains in some cultures.

Synonyms

leprous, outcast, pariah

Examples of usage

  • The leper was forced to live on the outskirts of the village.
  • Doctors have developed effective treatments for lepers today.
  • In ancient times, lepers were often shunned by society.
  • The charity supports lepers in developing countries.

Translations

Translations of the word "leper" in other languages:

🇵🇹 leproso

🇮🇳 कोढ़ी

🇩🇪 Aussätziger

🇮🇩 kusta

🇺🇦 прокажений

🇵🇱 trędowaty

🇯🇵 らい病患者

🇫🇷 lépreux

🇪🇸 leproso

🇹🇷 cüzamlı

🇰🇷 나병환자

🇸🇦 مُصَابٌ بِالْبَرَصِ

🇨🇿 malomyslný

🇸🇰 malomyslný

🇨🇳 麻风患者

🇸🇮 leprozni

🇮🇸 lepru

🇰🇿 жұқпалы ауруға шалдыққан

🇬🇪 ლეპროზური

🇦🇿 ləpralı

🇲🇽 leproso

Word origin

The word 'leper' originates from the Latin 'leprosus', which means 'scabby' or 'full of scales'. This, in turn, comes from the Greek word 'lepros', derived from 'lepis', meaning 'scale' or 'flaky'. The term has been used since the Middle Ages to describe individuals afflicted with leprosy, particularly during a time when the disease was poorly understood and highly stigmatized. Leprosy itself dates back thousands of years, with evidence of its existence found in ancient texts and archaeological sites. Historically, lepers were ostracized due to the contagious nature of the disease and the visible symptoms it produced, leading to the establishment of isolated communities known as leper colonies. As medical knowledge evolved and leprosy became more treatable in the 20th century, the usage of the term 'leper' has shifted and is often considered derogatory today, reflecting a broader societal change in attitude towards individuals affected by diseases.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #21,286, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.