Syphilis

n. The same as SYPHILIS, q. v.

n. [From Syphilus, the name of a shepherd in the Latin poem of Fracastoro, “Syphilus, sive Morbus Gallicus,” which was published in 1530, from Gr. σῦς, hog, swine, and φίλος, dear, loving. The term was introduced into nosology by Sauvages.] (Med.) An infectious venereal disease, of which the primary symptoms are a chancre or virulent ulcer, and a bubo or engorged lymphatic gland, and the secondary or constitutional symptoms are ulcers in the throat, copper-colored blotches on the skin, destruction of the bones, and other signs of the presence of the virus in the system.