scabies

(skābēz, -bē ēz′)

noun

a contagious skin disease caused by a parasitic mite (Sarcoptes scabiei) that burrows under the skin to deposit eggs, causing intense itching

Origin: L, roughness, itch: see scab

Related Forms:

See scabies in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. scabies
  1. A contagious skin disease caused by a parasitic mite (Sarcoptes scabiei) and characterized by intense itching.
  2. A similar disease in animals, especially sheep.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Latin scabiēs

Origin: , from scabere, to scratch

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