The spelling of the word "lepered" may seem unusual, but it follows standard English phonetics. The pronunciation is /ˈlɛpərd/, with the emphasis on the first syllable. The word refers to someone who has not only contracted leprosy but has also been socially shunned due to the disease. Despite the stigma surrounding leprosy throughout history, medical advances have made it treatable, and patients can live normal lives. However, the word "lepered" serves as a reminder of the discrimination faced by those with the disease in the past.