smallpox
word
Definition
A serious infectious disease caused by a virus, characterized by fever and a skin rash with raised bumps. Smallpox has been eradicated worldwide by vaccination.
Usage & Nuances
Used mainly in medical, historical, and scientific contexts. 'Smallpox' is uncountable and always refers to the disease, not the virus or vaccine itself. Do not confuse with 'chickenpox' (a much milder, different disease). Often appears in discussions of vaccination and disease eradication.
Example Sentences
Smallpox was a deadly disease in the past.
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Vaccines helped to end smallpox worldwide.
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People with smallpox had high fevers and skin rashes.
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Smallpox was the first disease to be wiped out by a global vaccination effort.
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Doctors no longer see new cases of smallpox, thanks to modern medicine.
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Before vaccination, smallpox outbreaks could devastate entire communities.
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