noun
scabies
SKAY-beez/ˈskeɪbiːz/
A contagious, itchy skin infestation caused by mites.
The man's itchy wrist shows the small bumps and winding burrows of scabies.
Etymology
Latin scabies meant “itch” or “mange” and came from a verb meaning “to scratch.” Once a broad name for itchy skin disease, it became the medical name for a contagious infestation caused by mites.
In context
quite bad with scabies
More examples
- Scabies often causes itching that gets worse at night.
- Close skin contact can spread scabies from person to person.
- The clinic prescribes a medicated cream to treat scabies.
Forms
scabies
Similar words
- mange
- Usually describes mite infestations in animals rather than people.