leprosy
noun
lep·ro·sy
ˈle-prə-sē 
1
: a chronic infectious disease caused by a mycobacterium (Mycobacterium leprae) affecting especially the skin and peripheral nerves and characterized by the formation of nodules or macules that enlarge and spread accompanied by loss of sensation with eventual paralysis, wasting of muscle, and production of deformities
called also Hansen's disease
2
: a morally or spiritually harmful influence
Examples of leprosy in a Sentence
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Most people are immune to leprosy and there’s an effective combination of antibiotic treatment for those who do contract it.
—
Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 10 Sep. 2024
These are known to infect mycobacteria, a pathogenic species that causes leprosy, tuberculosis, and chronic lung infections, among other diseases.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 9 Oct. 2024
Mycobacterium leprae causes the bacterial infection, leprosy, and primarily affects the nerves and skin.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 10 Sep. 2024
Inskip and her colleagues zeroed in on the medieval city of Winchester, which had not only skinners, tailors, and furriers, but also a hospital for leprosy patients.
—Bysean Cummings, science.org, 7 Aug. 2024
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Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 10 Sep. 2024
These are known to infect mycobacteria, a pathogenic species that causes leprosy, tuberculosis, and chronic lung infections, among other diseases.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 9 Oct. 2024
Mycobacterium leprae causes the bacterial infection, leprosy, and primarily affects the nerves and skin.
—Allison Futterman, Discover Magazine, 10 Sep. 2024
Inskip and her colleagues zeroed in on the medieval city of Winchester, which had not only skinners, tailors, and furriers, but also a hospital for leprosy patients.
—Bysean Cummings, science.org, 7 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for leprosy
Dictionary Entries Near leprosy
Cite this Entry
“Leprosy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leprosy. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
leprosy
noun
lep·ro·sy
ˈlep-rə-sē
: a disease caused by a bacterium and marked by slow-growing spreading swellings accompanied by loss of sensation, wasting away of muscles, and by deformities
called also Hansen's disease
Medical Definition
leprosy
noun
lep·ro·sy
ˈlep-rə-sē
plural leprosies
: a chronic infectious disease that is caused by a mycobacterium (Mycobacterium leprae), affects especially the skin and peripheral nerves, and is characterized by the formation of nodules or macules that enlarge and spread and are accompanied by loss of sensation with eventual paralysis, wasting of muscle, and production of deformities
About 12 million people worldwide have leprosy, a disfiguring, chronic infection that damages nerves, skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.—Harvard Health Letter
Harvard Health LetterThe good news is that leprosy is relatively easy to diagnose and cure. It is caused by the microbe Mycobacterium leprae, which produces telltale symptoms of enlarged nerves and light-coloured patches of numb skin on a patient's face or extremities.—Bryn Nelson, New Scientist
Bryn Nelson, New ScientistLeprosy is actually the least infectious of the major communicable diseases.—Sandra Dallas, Business Week
Sandra Dallas, Business WeekLeprosy … is progressive and causes the growth of widely distributed lumps on the skin and thickening of the skin and nerves. Severe cases are characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis.—Insight
Insightcalled also hansenosis, Hansen's disease, lepra
see lepromatous leprosy, tuberculoid leprosyLove words? Need even more definitions?
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