morbilli
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. An acute and highly contagious viral disease: A serious infectious illness caused by a virus, easily spread from person to person. 2. Characterized by distinct red spots followed by a rash: Its identifying symptoms begin with separate red spots (Koplik's spots inside the mouth) and then develop into a widespread red skin rash. 3. Occurs primarily in children: Although it can affect anyone not immune, it is most common in young children.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Before the vaccine was developed, morbilli was a common childhood illness.
- The public health campaign aimed to eradicate morbilli through widespread immunization.
- Symptoms of morbilli include high fever, cough, and a characteristic rash.
Advanced Usage
- Medical/Technical Context: The term "morbilli" is used primarily in formal medical, historical, or scientific writing. In everyday English, the disease is almost universally called measles.
- The morbilli virus, also known as the measles virus, is a paramyxovirus.
Variants and Related Words
- Measles (noun): The common, everyday term for morbilli.
- Rubeola (noun): Another technical synonym for morbilli (measles). (Note: This is distinct from "rubella," which is German measles).
- Morbillivirus (noun): The genus of viruses that includes the pathogen causing morbilli.
Synonyms
- Measles (n): The standard synonym.
- Rubeola (n): A clinical synonym.
Notes on Meaning
- Primary Meaning: The term refers specifically to the disease caused by the measles virus. It is not used for other rash-causing illnesses.
- Historical Usage: "Morbilli" is a Latin-derived term that appears in older medical texts. Its use in contemporary general English is very rare.
Noun
- an acute and highly contagious viral disease marked by distinct red spots followed by a rash; occurs primarily in children