Leprosy
/ˈlɛp.rə.si/noun
A chronic infectious disease that primarily affects the skin, nerves, and mucous membranes.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from Greek lepra, from lepros meaning “scaly” or “rough,” so the name began as a description of skin texture long before it became a terrifying diagnosis.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*lep-
“A root meaning “to peel, strip, or flake.””
Ancient Greek
GRK
lepros
“Scaly, rough, or covered with flakes.”
Ancient Greek
GRK
lepra
“A scaly skin disease; scurfy condition.”
Late Latin
LAT
lepra
“Leprosy; a scaly disease.”
Old French
OFR
lepre
“Leprosy.”
Middle English
ENG
leprosy
“Leprosy; the disease.”