leprosy

/ˈlɛprəsi/
noun
  1. A chronic infectious disease that damages the skin, nerves, and limbs, also called Hansen's disease.
    • Modern medicine has greatly reduced the number of leprosy cases worldwide.
    • Leprosy is now curable with antibiotics if treated early.
    • In ancient times, people with leprosy were often forced to live apart from society.
  2. A state of being shunned or rejected by society; moral or social corruption.
    • He felt the leprosy of shame after being caught cheating.
    • The community treated the rumor as a kind of leprosy, avoiding anyone connected to it.
    • The scandal spread like a social leprosy, isolating everyone involved.
What does "leprosy" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean