scrofulous
UK /ˈskɹɒfjʊləs/ · US /ˈskɹɔfjələs/ adjective
- adjective (pathology, dated) Of, related to, or suffering from scrofula (form of tuberculosis tending to cause enlarged lymph nodes and skin inflammation).
- adjective (figuratively) Having an unkempt, unhealthy appearance.
- adjective (figuratively) Morally degenerate; corrupt. “a scrofulous politician”
Etymology
Borrowed from New Latin scrōfulōsus. By surface analysis, scrofula + -ous.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Pertaining to scrofula, or partaking of its nature; as, scrofulous tumors; a scrofulous habit of body.
- adjective Diseased or affected with scrofula.
Etymology [Cf. F. scrofuleux.]
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “scrofulous”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details