How Do You Spell LEPER?

Pronunciation: [lˈɛpə] (IPA)

The word "leper" is spelled with the phonetic transcription /ˈlɛpər/. The /l/ sound is pronounced with the tongue touching the ridge behind the teeth, while the vowel sound /ɛ/ is pronounced with an open mouth and the tongue slightly forward. The second syllable /pər/ is pronounced with a short /u/ sound like in "up," and ends with the /r/ sound pronounced by vibrating the tongue. This word refers to a person who has leprosy, a contagious disease that affects the skin and nerves.

LEPER Meaning and Definition

  1. A leper is a noun that refers to an individual afflicted with leprosy, a chronic infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae. Historically, leprosy was associated with significant stigma and social ostracism due to the visible symptoms it presents, such as disfigurement, skin lesions, and nerve damage. Consequently, the term "leper" also gained a metaphorical connotation, describing someone who is shunned or avoided due to being perceived as socially undesirable or dangerous.

    In a medical context, a leper is an individual with leprosy. Leprosy primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves, and mucous membranes, resulting in characteristic symptoms like patches of skin discoloration, numbness or loss of sensation, muscle weakness, and even the loss of digits. Leprosy is predominantly spread through respiratory droplets, and it has a long incubation period, often taking years before the symptoms manifest.

    Outside the medical realm, "leper" is occasionally used figuratively to describe people marginalized or outcast from society due to their actions, circumstances, or characteristics that are deemed socially unacceptable. This term highlights the historical association between lepers and the societal rejection they faced, implying a similar level of isolation, abandonment, or exclusion faced by those metaphorically labeled as "lepers."

    Considering the improvements in leprosy treatment and eradication campaigns, the term "leper" is now mostly used metaphorically rather than in its literal medical sense. However, it is crucial to acknowledge the impact and historical context of the term, which signifies the physical and social isolation endured by those affected by leprosy throughout history.

  2. One who suffers from leprosy.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for LEPER

Etymology of LEPER

The word "leper" originates from the Greek word "leprós", which means "scaled". The Greek term was derived from the Hebrew word "tzara'at", found in the Old Testament of the Bible, which referred to a type of skin disease. Over time, the term was adopted into various languages and evolved into "lepros" in Late Latin and "leper" in Old English. The term specifically denotes someone affected by leprosy, a chronic infectious disease that affects the skin, nerves, and mucous membranes. However, nowadays, the term "leper" is considered derogatory and offensive. It is more appropriate to use terms like "person affected by leprosy" or "person with Hansen's disease", referencing the scientist Armauer Hansen who discovered the bacteria causing leprosy.

Similar spelling words for LEPER

Plural form of LEPER is LEPERS

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