scabies

Meaning

An infestation of parasitic mites, Sarcoptes scabiei, causing intense itching caused by the mites burrowing into the skin of humans and other animals. It is easily transmissible from human to human; secondary skin infection may occur.

Synonyms

itch

mange

leprosy

sarcoptic mange

scab

ringworm

itches

eczema

psora

herpes

seven-year itch

psoriasis

chorioptic mange

psoroptic mange

crust

sarcoptic acariasis

cut

favus

manginess

prickly heat

rash

scabs

scratch

skin disease

the itch

sarcoptidosis

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈskeɪ.biz/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: scabies

In summary

From Middle English scabies, scabiez, from Latin scabiēs (“scurf; scab, mange, itch”), from scabō (“scratch, scrape”, verb).