syphilis meaning

UK US /ˈsɪfəlɪs/ 3 syllables

syphilis (noun): a common venereal disease caused by the treponema pallidum spirochete; symptoms change through progressive stages; can be congenital (transmitted through the placenta).

Definition of syphilis

  1. a common venereal disease caused by the treponema pallidum spirochete; symptoms change through progressive stages; can be congenital (transmitted through the placenta)

    Synonyms: syph, pox, lues venerea, lues

    Type of: venereal disease

    Kinds: primary syphilis, secondary syphilis, tertiary syphilis, neurosyphilis

    Related forms: syphilitic

How to pronounce syphilis

syphilis is pronounced /ˈsɪfəlɪs/ in American English. It has 3 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.

Word lists: words starting with SY · words ending in IS · 8-letter words

More about syphilis on Wikipedia.