scabies

[ skey-beez, -bee-eez ]

noun

, (used with a singular verb)

1. a contagious skin disease occurring especially in sheep and cattle and also in humans, caused by the itch mite, Sarcoptes scabiei, which burrows under the skin. Compare itch ( def 10 ), mange.

scabies

/ -bɪˌiːz; ˌskeɪbɪˈɛtɪk; ˈskeɪbiːz /

noun

1. a contagious skin infection caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei, characterized by intense itching, inflammation, and the formation of vesicles and pustules

Derived Forms

• scabietic, adjective

Other Words From

• sca·bi·et·ic [skey-bee-, et, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of scabies¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin scabiēs “roughness, itch,” from scabere “to scratch, scrape”; shave

Word History and Origins

Origin of scabies¹

C15: from Latin: scurf, from scabere to scratch; see shave

Example Sentences

People are being told not to ignore an itchy rash, with GPs in England reporting a spike in scabies - the highly infectious skin infestation.

From BBC

Alan Wilson, senior coroner for Blackpool and Fylde, said Debbie died from "the combined effects of her severely emaciated and neglected state, and debilitation caused by widespread Norwegian scabies mite infection".

From BBC

Crewmembers have testified during the trial that the migrants' wellbeing and sanitary conditions on board the ship deteriorated while it was being held offshore - resulting, among other things, in a scabies outbreak.

From BBC

There were even cures for herpes, rabies, pneumonia and scabies.

From New York Times

Crewmembers later testified that the migrants' physical and mental wellbeing disintegrated quickly over that period, eventually reaching crisis point due to dire sanitary conditions onboard, including a scabies outbreak.

From BBC

Related Words

• acquired immune deficiency syndrome
• AIDS
• gonorrhea
• herpes
• syphilis
• the clap
• venereal disease