whitlow

[ hwit-loh, wit- ]

noun

1. an inflammation of the deeper tissues of a finger or toe, especially of the terminal phalanx, usually producing suppuration.

whitlow

/ ˈwɪtləʊ /

noun

1. any pussy inflammation of the end of a finger or toe

Word History and Origins

Origin of whitlow¹

1350–1400; Middle English whit ( f ) lowe, whitflawe. See white, flaw ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of whitlow¹

C14: changed from whitflaw, from white + flaw ¹

Example Sentences

The surgeon was asked if the herpes infection the women developed could have come from a whitlow on his hand - a lesion typically on a finger or thumb caused by the herpes simplex virus.

From BBC

He says it is possible the surgeon may have had a herpetic whitlow - a herpes infection on the finger - which could have "directly seeded the herpes into the abdomen of the women".

From BBC

In fact, it is easy to miss this tiny plant’s entire blooming season; by the time most people even consider looking for local spring wildflowers, whitlow grass has come and gone.

From New York Times

Wildflowers spring to life in fancy clothes: showy golden balsamroot, cobalt and lemon-tinged camas, pearly whitlow grass.

From Seattle Times

A small ulcerous swelling, coming suddenly; also, a whitlow.

From Project Gutenberg