I. -_gəs, pemˈfīgəs noun
( plural pemphiguses -sə̇z ; or pemphi·gi -fəˌjī, -īˌjī)
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek pemphig-, pemphix breath, drop, storm, pustule; akin to Greek pomphas blister, bembix buzzing insect, top, whirlpool, cyclone — more at bembix
: a disease of unknown cause characterized by the formation of successive crops of large blisters on apparently normal skin and mucous membranes often in association with sensations of itching or burning and with constitutional symptoms
II. noun
Usage: capitalized
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek pemphig-, pemphix
: a genus of gall-making aphids (family Eriosomatidae) with both primary hosts (as trees and woody shrubs) and secondary hosts (as roots of sugar beets and lettuce)