Definition of Chickenpox

1. Noun. An acute contagious disease caused by herpes varicella zoster virus; causes a rash of vesicles on the face and body.

Exact synonyms: Varicella
Generic synonyms: Pox

Medical Definition of Chickenpox

1. A common highly infectious and contagious childhood viral infection that results in a generalised blistery red rash. The name was meant to distinguish this weak form of the pox from smallpox (chicken being used, as in chickenhearted, to mean weak or timid). Starts as an eruption of red papules (bumps) which become vesicles (blisters) than pustules. Other symptoms include malaise, weakness, sore throat, cough and fever. Incubation period is 14 to 17 days. There can be complications of chickenpox including pneumonia and encephalitis, particularly in adults but also sometimes in children, and reactivation of the same herpes virus is reponsible for shingles (zoster). Synonym: varicella (18 Dec 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Chickenpox

chickaree
chickarees
Chickasaw
chickasaw plum
chickee
chickees
chicken
chicken-breasted
chicken-fight
chickened
chickenfeed
chickenfight
chickenhearted
chickening
chickenpox (current term)
chickenpox (current term)
chickenpox immune globulin
chickenpox immunization
chickenpox immunoglobulin
chickenpox vaccine
chickenpox virus
chickens
chickenshit
chicken anaemia virus
chicken and rice
chicken breast
chicken breast
chicken broth
chicken cacciatora
chicken cacciatore

Other Resources:

Search for Chickenpox on Dictionary.com!Search for Chickenpox on Thesaurus.com!Search for Chickenpox on Google!Search for Chickenpox on Wikipedia!