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noun Uncommon

lupus

LOO-puhs

Lupus (noun) means an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks its own tissue, most commonly referring to systemic lupus erythematosus. Example: “She was diagnosed with lupus after months of unexplained joint pain and fatigue.”

noun
1
An autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks its own tissue, most commonly referring to systemic lupus erythematosus.
"She was diagnosed with lupus after months of unexplained joint pain and fatigue."

How to use lupus

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA chronic autoimmune disease that can affect the skin, joints, and organs.

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Test yourself on “lupus” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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Can you complete this real example?

She was diagnosed with _____ after months of unexplained joint pain and fatigue.

Etymology

Borrowed directly from Latin lupus ("wolf") — an old name reflecting the way certain skin lesions associated with the disease were once thought to resemble a wolf's bite.

Origin: Latin

Frequently asked questions

What does “lupus” mean?

The word “lupus” means an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks its own tissue, most commonly referring to systemic lupus erythematosus. In plain terms, a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect the skin, joints, and organs.

How do you pronounce “lupus”?

“Lupus” is pronounced LOO-puhs (/ˈlupəs/ in IPA).

How do you use “lupus” in a sentence?

Here is “lupus” used in a sentence: “She was diagnosed with lupus after months of unexplained joint pain and fatigue.”

What part of speech is “lupus”?

“Lupus” is a noun.

Where does the word “lupus” come from?

The word “lupus” comes from Latin. Borrowed directly from Latin lupus ("wolf") — an old name reflecting the way certain skin lesions associated with the disease were once thought to resemble a wolf's bite.

Is “lupus” a common word?

“Lupus” is an uncommon word in modern English.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial