noun
pox
pahks
Pox (noun) means a disease that causes spots or pockmarks on the skin, such as chickenpox or smallpox. Example: “The vaccine all but eliminated smallpox, once a deadly pox.”
noun
1
A disease that causes spots or pockmarks on the skin, such as chickenpox or smallpox.
"The vaccine all but eliminated smallpox, once a deadly pox."
2
A curse, especially as expressed in the phrase "a pox on".
"A pox on both their houses, she muttered after the argument."
How to use pox
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA skin disease marked by spots, or, as an old-fashioned curse, a wish of bad luck on someone.
Common pairings
chickenpox
a pox on
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Word forms
- Plural
- poxes
- Third person singular
- poxes
- Past tense
- poxed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The vaccine all but eliminated smallpox, once a deadly _____.
Etymology
From the plural of Middle English pocke, "pock" — the curse sense comes from the old habit of literally wishing the disease on an enemy.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “pox” mean?
The word “pox” means a disease that causes spots or pockmarks on the skin, such as chickenpox or smallpox. In plain terms, a skin disease marked by spots, or, as an old-fashioned curse, a wish of bad luck on someone.
How do you pronounce “pox”?
“Pox” is pronounced pahks (/pɑks/ in IPA).
How do you use “pox” in a sentence?
Here is “pox” used in a sentence: “The vaccine all but eliminated smallpox, once a deadly pox.”
What part of speech is “pox”?
“Pox” is a noun.
Where does the word “pox” come from?
The word “pox” comes from Middle English. From the plural of Middle English pocke, "pock" — the curse sense comes from the old habit of literally wishing the disease on an enemy.
How many meanings does “pox” have?
“Pox” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a disease that causes spots or pockmarks on the skin, such as chickenpox or smallpox.
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