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Scrofulous

//ˈskɹɒfjʊləs// adj

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Of, related to, or suffering from scrofula (form of tuberculosis tending to cause enlarged lymph nodes and skin inflammation). dated

    "On the ſurface of the water there floats a liquid bitumen, although it be every day ſcummed off, as it doth on the lake Aſphaltites in Judæa: The Inhabitants uſe it as pitch: it is alſo found to be an excellent vulnerary, and good in curing old cacoethic and ſcrophulous ulcers."

  2. 2
    Having an unkempt, unhealthy appearance. figuratively

    "Poor devil, he's gone to the dogs altogether. He's got some twopenny-halfpenny job in the medical at Alexandria—sanitary officer or something like that. I'm told he lives with an ugly old Greek woman and has half a dozen scrofulous kids."

  3. 3
    Morally degenerate; corrupt. figuratively

    "a scrofulous politician"

Adjective
  1. 1
    having a diseased appearance resembling scrofula wordnet
  2. 2
    morally contaminated wordnet
  3. 3
    afflicted with scrofula wordnet

Etymology

Borrowed from New Latin scrōfulōsus. Surface analysis: scrofula + -ous.

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