German measles
noun
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: an acute contagious virus disease that is caused by a togavirus (species Rubella virus of the genus Rubivirus) and is milder than typical measles but is damaging to the fetus when occurring early in pregnancy
called also rubella
Word History
First Known Use
1856, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
German measles
noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: an acute contagious disease that is milder than typical measles but is damaging to the fetus when occurring early in pregnancy and that is caused by a togavirus (species Rubella virus of the genus Rubivirus)
called also rubella