pemphigus

[ pem-fi-guhs, pem-fahy- ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. any of several diseases, often fatal, characterized by blisters on the skin and mucous membranes.

pemphigus

/ pɛmˈfaɪ-; ˈpɛmfɪɡəs /

noun

1. pathol any of a group of blistering skin diseases, esp a potentially fatal form ( pemphigus vulgaris ) characterized by large blisters on the skin, mucous membranes of the mouth, genitals, intestines, etc, which eventually rupture and form painful denuded areas from which critical amounts of bodily protein, fluid, and blood may be lost

Other Words From

• pem·phi·goid [pem, -fi-goid], adjective
• pemphi·gous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pemphigus¹

1770–80; < New Latin < Greek pemphīg- (stem of pémphīx ) bubble + Latin -us noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of pemphigus¹

C18: via New Latin from Greek pemphix bubble

Example Sentences

Five years earlier she was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called pemphigus.

From New York Times

When the researchers infused the engineered T cells into a mouse model of pemphigus vulgaris, their blisters disappeared.

From Scientific American

She said she plans to send some of the money to a man in the Philippines who also suffers from pemphigus vulgaris, which causes excruciating blisters on the skin and mucous membranes.

From Washington Post

You write about bringing heroin to Chris when he was sick in the hospital in the early ’80s with the autoimmune disease pemphigus.

From Los Angeles Times

There are several types of pemphigus that cause painful blisters elsewhere on the body.

From Washington Post