typhus

[ tahy-fuh s ]
/ ˈtaɪ fəs /

noun Pathology.

an acute, infectious disease caused by several species of Rickettsia, transmitted by lice and fleas, and characterized by acute prostration, headache, and a peculiar eruption of reddish spots on the body.
Also called typhus fever.

Origin of typhus

1635–45; < New Latin < Greek tŷphos vapor

OTHER WORDS FROM typhus

ty·phous, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for typhus

British Dictionary definitions for typhus

typhus
/ (ˈtaɪfəs) /

noun

any one of a group of acute infectious rickettsial diseases characterized by high fever, skin rash, and severe headache Also called: typhus fever

Derived forms of typhus

typhous, adjective

Word Origin for typhus

C18: from New Latin tӯphus, from Greek tuphos fever; related to tuphein to smoke

Medical definitions for typhus

typhus
[ tīfəs ]

n.

Any of several forms of infectious disease caused by Rickettsia, especially those transmitted by fleas, lice, or mites, and characterized generally by severe headache, sustained high fever, depression, delirium, and the eruption of red rashes on the skin. camp fever prison fever

Other words from typhus

typhous (-fəs) adj.

Scientific definitions for typhus

typhus
[ tīfəs ]

Any of several forms of an infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus Rickettsia transmitted by fleas, mites, or especially lice, and characterized by severe headache, high fever, and skin rash. Louse-born bacteria that cause typhus are especially virulent and can cause epidemics of the disease, which may be fatal in people with weakened immune systems.

Cultural definitions for typhus

typhus
[ (teye-fuhs) ]

A group of acute and contagious diseases, often fatal, marked by severe headaches and high fever. Typhus is transmitted to humans by fleas, lice, or mites that are infected with the microorganism that causes the disease.