erysipelas Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an acute streptococcal infection characterized by deep-red inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes

WordNet

Er`y*sip"e*las noun
Etymology
L., fr. Gr. red + hide, skin. See Red, and Pell, n.
Definitions
  1. (Med.) St. Anthony's fire; a febrile disease accompanied with a diffused inflammation of the skin, which, starting usually from a single point, spreads gradually over its surface. It is usually regarded as contagious, and often occurs epidemically.

Webster 1913