rubella

[roo-bel-uh] /ruˈbɛl ə/

noun, Pathology

a usually mild contagious viral disease characterized by fever, mild upper respiratory congestion, and a fine red rash lasting a few days: if contracted by a woman during early pregnancy, it may cause serious damage to the fetus.

Also called German measles.

Origin

1880-85; < New Latin, noun use of neuter plural of Latin rubellus reddish, derivative of ruber red¹; for formation see castellum

Examples from the web for rubella

Their primary reason: enduring concern over the debunked link between autism and the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine.
The study's author theorized that a combined measles-mumps-rubella shot caused autism.
It may also occur after immunization with the rubella vaccine.
The immune status for rubella should be evaluated early in the pregnancy.
rubella is an infectious viral disease resulting in mild illness with rash.
Humans are the only known natural host for the rubella.
rubella is contagious but less so than measles and chickenpox.

British Dictionary definitions for rubella

rubella

/ruːˈbɛlə/

noun

a mild contagious viral disease, somewhat similar to measles, characterized by cough, sore throat, skin rash, and occasionally vomiting. It can cause congenital defects if caught during the first three months of pregnancy Also called German measles

Word Origin

C19: from New Latin, from Latin rubellus reddish, from rubeus red

Word Origin and History for rubella

"German measles," 1883, Modern Latin, literally "rash," from neuter plural of Latin rubellus "reddish," diminutive of ruber "red" (see red (adj.1)).

rubella in Medicine

rubella ru·bel·la (rōō-běl'ə)
n.
A mild contagious eruptive disease that is caused by the rubella virus and is capable of producing congenital defects in infants born to mothers infected during the first three months of pregnancy. Also called epidemic roseola, German measles, three-day measles.

rubella in Science

rubella

(r-běl'ə)
See German measles.

rubella in Culture

rubella [(rooh-bel-uh)]

See German measles.