exanthem

noun

ex·​an·​them eg-ˈzan(t)-thəm How to pronounce exanthem (audio) ek-ˈsan(t)- How to pronounce exanthem (audio)
variants or less commonly exanthema
ˌeg-ˌzan-ˈthē-mə How to pronounce exanthem (audio)
plural exanthems also exanthemata ˌeg-ˌzan-ˈthe-mə-tə How to pronounce exanthem (audio) or exanthemas
: an eruptive disease (such as measles) or its symptomatic eruption
exanthematous
ˌeg-ˌzan-ˈthe-mə-təs How to pronounce exanthem (audio)
adjective
or exanthematic
ˌeg-ˌzan-thə-ˈma-tik How to pronounce exanthem (audio)

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin exanthema, from Greek exanthēma, from exanthein to bloom, break out, from ex- + anthos flower — more at anthology

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of exanthem was in 1656

Dictionary Entries Near exanthem

ex ante

exanthem

exantlation

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Exanthem.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exanthem. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Share

Medical Definition

exanthem

noun
ex·​an·​them eg-ˈzan(t)-thəm How to pronounce exanthem (audio) ˈek-ˌsan-ˌthem How to pronounce exanthem (audio)
variants or exanthema
ˌeg-ˌzan-ˈthē-mə How to pronounce exanthem (audio)
plural exanthems also exanthemata ˌeg-ˌzan-ˈthem-ət-ə How to pronounce exanthem (audio) or exanthemas
: an eruptive disease (as measles) or its symptomatic eruption
exanthematous
ˌeg-ˌzan-ˈthem-ət-əs How to pronounce exanthem (audio)
adjective
or exanthematic
-ˌzan-thə-ˈmat-ik How to pronounce exanthem (audio)
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See All

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See All

Popular in Wordplay

See All

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

9 Superb Owl Words

15 Words That Used to Mean Something Different
See All

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
little chihuahua dressing like a turkey for thanksgiving
Is That Gratitude or Attitude? A Thanksgiving Quiz Decide which words express gratitude and which gi...