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Smallpox: meaning, definitions and examples

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smallpox

 

[ smɔːl.pɑːks ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

disease outbreak

Smallpox is a highly contagious and deadly viral disease caused by the variola virus. It is characterized by fever, body aches, and a distinctive rash that develops into fluid-filled blisters. Historically, smallpox was responsible for significant mortality rates, especially before the invention of the vaccine. The disease was declared eradicated by the World Health Organization in 1980 after a successful global vaccination campaign.

Synonyms

pox, variola

Examples of usage

  • Smallpox vaccination was critical during the outbreak.
  • Many scientists study smallpox for historical research.
  • The eradication of smallpox is a significant public health achievement.

Translations

Translations of the word "smallpox" in other languages:

🇵🇹 varíola

🇮🇳 पॉक्स

🇩🇪 Pocken

🇮🇩 cacar

🇺🇦 вітрянка

🇵🇱 owsica

🇯🇵 天然痘

🇫🇷 variole

🇪🇸 viruela

🇹🇷 çiçek hastalığı

🇰🇷 천연두

🇸🇦 جدري

🇨🇿 neštovice

🇸🇰 neštovice

🇨🇳 天花

🇸🇮 bore

🇮🇸 hettusótt

🇰🇿 шешек

🇬🇪 ბუშტი

🇦🇿 çiçək xəstəliyi

🇲🇽 viruela

Word origin

The term 'smallpox' has its origins in the 15th century, derived from the Latin 'variola,' which refers to the pock-like lesions the disease causes. The 'small' in 'smallpox' was used to differentiate it from 'great pox' or syphilis. The disease has plagued humanity for thousands of years, with evidence found in ancient Egyptian mummies and historical accounts from Asia and Europe. The introduction of variolation, an early form of immunization, was practiced in Asia as early as the 10th century, eventually leading to Edward Jenner's development of the smallpox vaccine in 1796. This breakthrough marked the start of a global effort to eradicate the disease, culminating in the World Health Organization's declaration in 1980 that smallpox had been completely eradicated.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,155, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.