Bubonic plague
- Pronunciation
- /byoo-BAH-nik playg/
- Category
- Disease
- Singular
- Bubonic plague
- Plural
- Bubonic plagues
Definition
A severe and often deadly disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which is typically transmitted to humans through the bite of infected fleas that have fed on infected rodents.
Etymology
From Medieval Latin 'bubo', meaning 'swelling' and 'plague' from Latin 'plaga', meaning 'stroke' or 'wound'.
Example
Outbreaks of the bubonic plague in medieval Europe devastated populations, leading to the deaths of millions.
Synonyms
- Black Death
- Yersinia pestis infection
Related Terms
- Fleas
- Rodents
- Yersinia pestis
- Septicemic plague
- Pneumonic plague
Usage Notes
The bubonic plague is characterized by swollen and painful lymph nodes, called buboes, fever, chills, and muscle aches. In entomology, the study of fleas and their role in disease transmission is crucial to understanding and controlling plague outbreaks.