How Do You Spell VARIOLE?

Pronunciation: [vˈe͡əɹɪˌə͡ʊl] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "Variole" can be confusing for those unfamiliar with the French language. In IPA phonetic transcription, this word is pronounced /va.ʁi.ol/, with the stress on the second syllable. The "a" in the first syllable is pronounced like "ah," while the final "e" is silent. This word refers to the smallpox virus, which was eradicated through vaccination efforts in the 20th century. Despite its historical importance, the spelling of "Variole" remains complex for many English speakers.

VARIOLE Meaning and Definition

1. Variole is a noun that refers to a highly contagious and severe viral infection caused by the variola virus belonging to the Poxviridae family. It is commonly known as smallpox, which is characterized by a distinctive rash and flu-like symptoms. The term "variole" is derived from the Latin word "variola," meaning little spot or pimple, which accurately describes the visible skin lesions associated with the disease.

   Smallpox historically posed a significant threat to human populations worldwide, causing epidemics and even pandemics in the past. The variola virus is transmitted primarily through respiratory droplets and direct contact with infected individuals. The disease manifests in two distinct forms – variola major, which is more severe and potentially fatal, and variola minor, which causes a milder form of the illness.

   Symptoms of variole typically begin with a high fever, headache, and malaise, resembling the flu. After a few days, a characteristic rash develops, starting on the face and then spreading to the limbs and torso. The rash progresses through different stages, including the formation of fluid-filled blisters that eventually crust over and form scabs, which eventually fall off, leaving pitted scars on the skin.

   Vaccination programs led to the worldwide eradication of smallpox in 1980, making variole the first disease to be eradicated by human effort. Today, the variola virus is kept only in specialized laboratories for research purposes, and routine vaccination against smallpox is not recommended unless there is a specific risk of exposure.

Common Misspellings for VARIOLE

• vsariole

Etymology of VARIOLE

The word "variole" comes from the Latin term "variola", which means "little spots" or "pimples". It is derived from the Latin word "varius", meaning "spotted" or "variegated". The term originally referred specifically to smallpox, a highly contagious and often fatal infectious disease characterized by the appearance of red, raised pustules on the skin. However, in modern usage, "variole" can also refer more generally to any disease characterized by the presence of pustules or vesicles on the skin.

Plural form of VARIOLE is VARIOLES