/rooh bel"euh/ , n. Pathol.
a usually mild contagious viral disease characterized by fever, mild upper respiratory congestion, and a fine red rash lasting a few days: if contracted by a woman during early pregnancy, it may cause serious damage to the fetus. Also called German measles .
[ 1880-85; rubellus reddish, deriv. of ruber RED 1 ; for formation see CASTELLUM ]