pox — English Dictionary

Noun

1. A disease characterized by skin eruptions (especially purulent ones) that may leave pockmarks.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

2. A disease characterized by skin eruptions (especially purulent ones) that may leave pockmarks. Syphilis.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

3. A curse.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Figurative
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   a pox on all their houses

   A pox on him, he's a cat still.

Verb

1. To infect with the pox, or syphilis.

   Usage

   • Dated
   • Transitive

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Jack had a moſt ſcandalous tongue, and perſuaded Peg that all mankind, beſides himſelf, were pox'd by that ſcarlet-faced whore, †Signiora Bubonia. “As for his brother Lord Peter, the tokens were evident on him, blotches, ſcabs, and the corona. […]”

Noun

1. a common venereal disease caused by the treponema pallidum spirochete; symptoms change through progressive stages; can be congenital (transmitted through the placenta)

   Synonyms

   syphilissyphlues venerealues

   Broader terms

   venereal diseaseVDvenereal infectionsocial diseaseCupid's itchCupid's diseaseVenus's cursedosesexually transmitted diseaseSTD

2. a contagious disease characterized by purulent skin eruptions that may leave pock marks

   Broader terms

   contagious diseasecontagion