scrofula

[ skrof-yuh-luh ]
/ ˈskrɒf yə lə /

noun Pathology.

primary tuberculosis of the lymphatic glands, especially those of the neck.

Origin of scrofula

1350–1400; Middle English (plural) < Late Latin scrōfulae (Latin scrōf(a) sow + -ulae (plural) -ule), from the belief that breeding sows were susceptible

Example sentences from the Web for scrofula

British Dictionary definitions for scrofula

scrofula
/ (ˈskrɒfjʊlə) /

noun

pathol (no longer in technical use) tuberculosis of the lymphatic glands Also called (formerly): the king's evil

Word Origin for scrofula

C14: from Medieval Latin, from Late Latin scrōfulae swollen glands in the neck, literally: little sows (sows were thought to be particularly prone to the disease), from Latin scrōfa sow

Medical definitions for scrofula

scrofula
[ skrŏfyə-lə ]

n.

A form of tuberculosis affecting the lymph nodes, especially of the neck, that is most common in children and is usually spread by unpasteurized milk from infected cows. struma