lèpre

leprosy

noun LEH-pruh Rare

Usage Note

Lèpre denotes the infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, historically feared and stigmatised. Figuratively, la lèpre is used to describe something that spreads insidiously and corrupts, such as corruption or indifference spreading through society. The sufferer is called a lépreux/lépreuse, and a léproserie is a leper colony or leprosarium.

Examples

"La lèpre a marqué l'histoire du Moyen Âge."

Natural Translation

Leprosy marked the history of the Middle Ages.

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