chickenpox
Pronunciation: /ˈtʃɪkɪnpɒks/
noun
- an infectious disease causing a mild fever and a rash of itchy inflamed pimples which turn to blisters and then loose scabs. It is caused by the herpes zoster virus and mainly affects children. Also called varicella.
Origin:
early 18th century: probably so named because of its mildness, as compared to smallpox