chickenpox
or chick·en pox
[ chik-uh n-poks ]
/ ˈtʃɪk ənˌpɒks /
noun
a disease, commonly of children, caused by the varicella zoster virus and characterized by mild headache and fever, malaise, and eruption of blisters on the skin and mucous membranes.
Also called
varicella.
Origin of chickenpox
First recorded in 1720–30
Words nearby chickenpox
British Dictionary definitions for chicken pox
chickenpox
/ (ˈtʃɪkɪnˌpɒks) /
noun
a highly communicable viral disease most commonly affecting children, characterized by slight fever and the eruption of a rash
Medical definitions for chicken pox
chickenpox
n.
An acute contagious disease, primarily of children, that is caused by the varicella-zoster virus and characterized by skin eruptions, slight fever, and malaise.
varicella
Scientific definitions for chicken pox
chickenpox
[ chĭk′ən-pŏks′ ]
A highly contagious infectious disease, usually of children, caused by the varicella-zoster virus of the genus Varicellavirus. The infection is characterized by fever, and itching skin blisters that start on the trunk of the body and spread to the extremities. Also called varicella
Cultural definitions for chicken pox
chicken pox
A mild but highly contagious disease, caused by a virus and characterized by slight fever and the eruption of blisters on the skin. Chicken pox is classified as a disease of childhood, although it can occur in adults.
notes for chicken pox
Children who have had chicken pox are immune to future infection by the virus that causes it.