lupus

¹

[ loo-puhs ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. lupus vulgaris.
2. systemic lupus erythematosus.

Lupus

²

[ loo-puhs ]

noun

, Astronomy.

, genitive Lu·pi [loo, -pahy].

1. the Wolf, a southern constellation between Centaurus and Norma.

lupus

¹

/ ˈluːpəs /

noun

1. any of various ulcerative skin diseases

Lupus

²

/ ˈluːpəs /

noun

1. a constellation in the S hemisphere lying between Centaurus and Ara

lupus

/ lo̅o̅′pəs /

1. See systemic lupus erythematosus

lupus

1. An autoimmune disease that tends to strike women more frequently than men. The disease attacks the body's connective tissues.

Usage

In current usage the word lupus alone is generally understood to signify lupus vulgaris, lupus erythematosus being normally referred to in full or by the abbreviation LE

Other Words From

• lupous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lupus¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Medieval Latin, special use of Latin lupus “wolf”

Origin of lupus²

From Latin

Word History and Origins

Origin of lupus¹

C16: via Medieval Latin from Latin: wolf; said to be so called because it rapidly eats away the affected part

Example Sentences

The former Disney Channel child star revealed in 2017 that she had undergone a kidney transplant due to lupus nephritis, where the autoimmune disease lupus causes a person’s kidneys to fail.

From Los Angeles Times

Smith began making her food from scratch after being diagnosed with lupus and eczema.

From Los Angeles Times

Miller "had lupus, diabetes and hypertension and didn’t want to wait until the situation became dire."

From Salon

In the worst cases, pregnancy with lupus can lead to high blood pressure that can quickly progress to seizures, kidney and liver dysfunction and, ultimately, death.

From Salon

In addition to her struggles with bipolar disorder, Gomez has battled lupus.

From Los Angeles Times