ˌerəˈsip(ə)ləs, ˌir- noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English herisipila, erisipila, from Latin erysipelas, from Greek, from erysi- red (akin to erythros ) + -pelas skin (akin to Latin pellis ) — more at red , fell (hide)
1. : an acute febrile disease that is associated with intense often vesicular and edematous local inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissues and that is caused by a hemolytic streptococcus — called also St. Anthony's fire
2. : swine erysipelas — used especially when the disease affects other hosts than swine