erysipelas
noun
ery·sip·e·las ˌer-ə-ˈsi-p(ə-)ləs 
ˌir-
: an acute febrile disease associated with intense edematous local inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissues caused by a hemolytic streptococcus
Word History
Etymology
Middle English erisipila, from Latin erysipelas, from Greek, from erysi- (probably akin to Greek erythros red) + -pelas (probably akin to Latin pellis skin) — more at red, fell
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
erysipelas
noun
er·y·sip·e·las ˌer-ə-ˈsip-(ə-)ləs, ˌir-
1
: an acute febrile disease that is associated with intense often vesicular and edematous local inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissues and that is caused by a hemolytic streptococcus
2
: swine erysipelas —used especially when the disease affects hosts other than swine