POX


Meaning of POX in English

I. ˈpäks noun

( plural pox or pox·es )

Etymology: alteration of pocks, plural of pock

Date: circa 1530

1.

a. : a virus disease (as chicken pox) characterized by pustules or eruptions

b. archaic : smallpox

c. : syphilis

2. : a disastrous evil : plague , curse

a pox on him

• poxy ˈpäk-sē adjective

II. transitive verb

Date: 1601

archaic : to infect with a pox and especially with syphilis

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.