syphilis

/ˈsɪfɪlɪs/

syphilis

English Noun Top 15,207

Definition

A disease spread via sexual activity, caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum.

Etymology

From New Latin syphilis, originally the title of a poem by Girolamo Fracastoro concerning “Syphilus”, a shepherd boy who insulted the Greek god Apollo and was punished by that god with a horrible disease.