lepra
noun/ˈlɛprə/
Etymology From Latin lepra (“psoriasis & similar skin diseases”), from Koine Greek λέπρα (lépra, “psoriasis & similar skin diseases”), from λεπρός (leprós, “scaly”), from either λεπίς (lepís, “scale”) or λέπος (lépos, “husk, scale”) + -ρος (-ros, suffix forming adjectives). The shift of sense from psoriasis to Hansen's disease occurred in large part from the use of λέπρα (lépra) to translate Hebrew צרעת (“tzaraath”) in the Septuagint and its subsequent use in the New Testament and Late Latin.
- Lepra is an endemic, chronic, malignant, constitutional disease, due to a specific bacillus.1914, Henry Weightman Stelwagon, Treatise on Diseases of the Skin, 7th edition, page 914:
- Lepra and psoriasis are identical, though the two names are retained.1864, William Tilbury Fox, Skin Diseases, page 43:
3
Biology, Botany, Natural sciences Obsolete, Rare Any layer of algae, lichens, or other substance producing a leprosylike appearance on the surfaces of plants.
- Lepra is frequently met with on the trunks, especially of young trees.1805, translation of Karl Ludwig Willdenow as The Principles of Botany and of Vegetable Physiology, p. 344
- Derived terms
- lepra Arabica, lepra bacillus, lepra cell, lepra colony, lepra Graeca, lepraphobia, lepra reaction