leprosy
noun
lep·​ro·​sy
| \ ˈle-prə-sē
\
\
Definition of leprosy
1
: a chronic infectious disease caused by a mycobacterium (Mycobacterium leprae) affecting especially the skin and peripheral nerves and characterized by the formation of nodules or macules that enlarge and spread accompanied by loss of sensation with eventual paralysis, wasting of muscle, and production of deformities
— called also Hansen's disease
2
: a morally or spiritually harmful influence
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Other Words from leprosy
leprotic
\ le-​ˈprä-​tik
\
adjective
\
adjective
Examples of leprosy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
People who lack that ability—for example, people who have [a common complication of] diabetes or people who have leprosy [Hansen’s disease]—they don’t have sensation in their extremities. — Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, "What Chili Peppers Can Teach Us about Pain," 5 Sep. 2019 The British built it in 1895 as Rietfontein Hospital to house victims of contagious diseases like leprosy, smallpox and syphilis. — New York Times, "Scientists Discover New Cure for the Deadliest Strain of Tuberculosis," 14 Aug. 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'leprosy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for leprosy
leprosy
noun
English Language Learners Definition of leprosy
medical
: a serious disease that causes painful rough areas on the skin and that badly damages nerves and flesh
See the full definition for leprosy in the English Language Learners Dictionary
leprosy
noun
lep·​ro·​sy
| \ ˈlep-rə-sē
\
\
plural leprosies
Medical Definition of leprosy
: a chronic infectious disease that is caused by a mycobacterium (Mycobacterium leprae), affects especially the skin and peripheral nerves, and is characterized by the formation of nodules or macules that enlarge and spread and are accompanied by loss of sensation with eventual paralysis, wasting of muscle, and production of deformities
About 12 million people worldwide have leprosy, a disfiguring, chronic infection that damages nerves, skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. — Harvard Health Letter, February 1998 The good news is that leprosy is relatively easy to diagnose and cure. It is caused by the microbe Mycobacterium leprae, which produces telltale symptoms of enlarged nerves and light-coloured patches of numb skin on a patient's face or extremities.— Bryn Nelson, New Scientist, 16 July 2005 Leprosy is actually the least infectious of the major communicable diseases.— Sandra Dallas, Business Week, 1 Mar. 1999 Leprosy … is progressive and causes the growth of widely distributed lumps on the skin and thickening of the skin and nerves. Severe cases are characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis. — Insight, 22 Dec. 1986
— called also hansenosis, Hansen's disease, lepra
— see lepromatous leprosy, tuberculoid leprosyKeep scrolling for more