scrofula
Meaning
A form of tuberculosis, most common in women 30-40 years of age, tending to cause enlarged and degenerated lymph nodes, especially in the neck, and often chronic, intractable skin inflammation as well.
Synonyms
Hyphenated as
scro‧fu‧la
Pronounced as (IPA)
/ˈskɹɒfjʊlə/
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin scrōfulae, a diminutive form of scrōfa (“breeding sow”), because swine were supposed to be subject to the complaint; or by fanciful comparison of the glandular swellings to little pigs.
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Notes