— erysipelatous /er'euh si pel"euh teuhs, ear'-/ , adj.
/er'euh sip"euh leuhs, ear'euh-/ , n.
1. Pathol. an acute, febrile infectious disease, caused by a specific streptococcus, characterized by diffusely spreading deep-red inflammation of the skin or mucous membranes.
2. Also called swine erysipelas . Vet. Pathol. a disease of swine, caused by the organism Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, characterized by urticaria, vegetative endocarditis, arthritis, and sometimes septicemia.
[ 1350-1400; ME erisipila erysipelas erysi- (prob. akin to erythrós red) + -pelas prob. skin (akin to pélma sole of the foot; cf. L pellis skin) ]