noun
typhus
TEYE-fuhs
noun
1
A serious bacterial disease spread by lice or fleas, causing high fever, rash, and confusion.
"Typhus spread rapidly through the crowded, unsanitary camp."
"Historically, typhus killed more soldiers than combat in some wars."
How to Use Typhus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA dangerous fever spread by lice or fleas — not the same illness as typhoid.
Common mistake
Don't mix up with typhoid, which is a different, food-and-water-borne disease.
Easily confused with
Word Forms
typhuses plural
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_____ spread rapidly through the crowded, unsanitary camp.
Etymology
From a Greek word meaning "fever" or "stupor," related to a verb meaning "to smoke," describing the clouded mental state the disease can cause.