pox

[poks] /pɒks/
noun, Pathology
1.
a disease characterized by multiple skin pustules, as smallpox.
2.
syphilis.
3.
Also called soil rot. Plant Pathology. a disease of sweet potatoes, characterized by numerous pitlike lesions on the roots, caused by a fungus, Streptomyces ipomoea.
4.
(used interjectionally to express distaste, rejection, aversion, etc.):
A pox on you and your bright ideas!
Origin
1540-50 (earlier as surname); spelling variant of pocks, plural of pock
Examples from the web for pox
  • He went on to develop vaccines against small pox, cholera, and swine erysipelas.
British Dictionary definitions for pox

pox

/pɒks/
noun
1.
any disease characterized by the formation of pustules on the skin that often leave pockmarks when healed
2.
the pox, an informal name for syphilis
3.
(interjection) (archaic) a pox on someone, an expression of intense disgust or aversion for someone
Word Origin
C15: changed from pocks, plural of pock
Word Origin and History for pox
n.

late 15c., spelling alteration of pockes, plural of pocke (see pock (n.)). Especially (after c.1500) of syphilis.

pox in Medicine

pox (pŏks)
n.

  1. A disease such as chickenpox or smallpox, characterized by purulent skin eruptions that may leave pockmarks.

  2. Syphilis.