German measles

noun

plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: an acute contagious virus disease that is caused by a togavirus (species Rubella virus of the genus Rubivirus) and is milder than typical measles but is damaging to the fetus when occurring early in pregnancy

called also rubella

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of German measles was in 1856

Dictionary Entries Near German measles

German mark

German measles

German millet

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“German measles.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/German%20measles. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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Kids Definition

German measles

singular or plural noun
: a contagious virus disease that is like the usual kind of measles but is milder and that may cause birth defects or the death of the fetus when it occurs in a pregnant woman

called also rubella

Medical Definition

German measles

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: an acute contagious disease that is milder than typical measles but is damaging to the fetus when occurring early in pregnancy and that is caused by a togavirus (species Rubella virus of the genus Rubivirus)

called also rubella

More from Merriam-Webster on German measles

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about German measles

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