Leprosy: meaning, definitions and examples

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leprosy

 

[ หˆlษ›prษ™si ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

medical condition

Leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease, is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae. It primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves, mucous membranes, and eyes. If left untreated, leprosy can cause severe disfigurement and disability. The disease has a long incubation period, often lasting between five and twenty years, before symptoms become apparent. Leprosy is transmitted via droplets from the nose and mouth, and it is not highly contagious compared to other diseases.

Synonyms

Hansen's disease, Mycobacterial infection

Examples of usage

  • Leprosy is a rare disease in developed countries.
  • People with leprosy often face stigma and isolation.
  • The treatment for leprosy has advanced significantly in recent years.
  • Early diagnosis of leprosy can prevent severe complications.

Translations

Translations of the word "leprosy" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น lepra

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เฅ‹เคขเคผ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Lepra

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kusta

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะปะตะฟั€ะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ trฤ…d

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒใƒณใ‚ปใƒณ็—…

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท lรฉpre

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ lepra

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท cรผzam

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋‚˜๋ณ‘

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุงู„ุฌุฐุงู…

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ lepry

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ lepry

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้บป้ฃŽ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ guba

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ gubba

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะถาฏะดะตัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒšแƒ”แƒžแƒ แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ lepra

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ lepra

Etymology

The word 'leprosy' comes from the Latin 'lepra', which is derived from the Greek word 'ฮปฮญฯ€ฯฮฑ' (lepra), meaning 'scaly', possibly referring to the scaly skin lesions associated with the disease. Leprosy has been known since ancient times, with references to the disease found in historical texts from various cultures, including the Hebrew Bible and ancient Greek writings. The disease was often linked with social stigma, leading to the isolation of those affected in leper colonies. Over centuries, leprosy has been studied extensively, and significant advancements in understanding and treating the disease have changed perceptions and reduced the stigma associated with it. Today, with effective antibiotics, leprosy is no longer considered a significant public health threat in many parts of the world, though it still persists in some areas.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,302, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.