rash2

 
Pronunciation: /raʃ/

noun

  • 1an area of redness and spots on a person’s skin, appearing especially as a result of illness: a red itchy rash appeared on her legs next day he broke out in a rash
  • 2a series of things of the same type, especially when unwelcome, happening within a short space of time: a rash of strikes by health-service workers

Origin:

early 18th century: probably related to Old French rasche 'eruptive sores, scurf'; compare with Italian raschia 'itch'