Ĕr'y-sĭp'e-las, n.

n. [Gr. ἐρυσίπελας, from ἐρυθρός, red, and πέλλα, hide, skin; Pr. erisipila, Sp. & Pg. erisipela, It. risipola, Fr. erysipele.] (Med.) St. Anthony's fire; a febrile disease accompanied with a diffused inflammation of the skin, which, starting usually from a single point, spreads gradually over its surface.