MEASLES

noun plural but singular or plural in construction Etymology: Middle English meseles, plural of mesel ~, spot characteristic of ~; akin to Middle Dutch masel spot characteristic of ~ Date: 14th century 1. an acute contagious disease that is caused by a morbillivirus (species Measles virus ) and is marked especially by an eruption of distinct red circular spots, any of various eruptive diseases (as German ~), infestation with or disease caused by larval tapeworms in the muscles and tissues