Whitlow
/ˈwɪt.loʊ/noun
A painful infection of the fingertip or toe, often involving a swollen abscess.
Did you know?In medieval times, it was believed that whitlows were caused by the devil's touch, linking them to witchcraft and maleficence.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
hwita
“meaning 'white', referring to the color of the pus”
Old English
OE
hlāw
“meaning 'hill' or 'mound', possibly referencing the swelling of infected areas”
Middle English
ME
whitlou
“an alteration of 'whitlow', referring specifically to finger infections”
Modern English
English
whitlow
“a term used to describe painful infections, retaining its medieval associations with affliction and suffering.”