Favus
/ˈfeɪ.vəs/noun
A contagious fungal infection of the skin, especially the scalp, producing yellow, cup-shaped crusts.
Did you know?Medieval physicians named favus from Latin for “honeycomb” because the infection can form clustered, cup-shaped crusts resembling tiny honeycomb cells.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
favus
“Honeycomb or beehive”
Late Latin
Latin
favus
“A honeycomb-like skin eruption or crust”
Medieval Latin
Latin
favus
“A fungal scalp infection characterized by yellow, cup-shaped crusts”
17th Century
Medical English
favus
“A recognized dermatological disease resembling a honeycomb in appearance”
Modern English
English
favus
“A contagious fungal infection, usually of the scalp, caused by Trichophyton species”