chicken pox
/ˈt͡ʃɪ.k(ə)nˌpɑks/
UK: /ˈt͡ʃɪ.k(ə)nˌpɒks/
T͡ƩꞮ · k(ə)npɑks (2 syllables)
English
Noun
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Definition
The blisters formed by the varicella zoster virus (VZV).
Etymology
From chicken + pox, under the influence of earlier hen-pox and swinepox, which formed larger blisters.
Example Sentences
- "Chickenpox parties, at which children gather so they can all be infected by a child who has the pox, are often held by parents who distrust chickenpox vaccine or want their children to have the stronger immunity that surviving a full-blown infection affords."
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