erysipelas

n. [ L., fr. Gr. 'erysi`pelas; 'eryqro`s red + pe`lla hide, skin. See Red, and Pell, n. ] (Med.) St. Anthony's fire; a febrile disease accompanied with a diffused red edematous inflammation of the skin, which, starting usually from a single point, spreads gradually over its surface. It is often accompanied by severe constitutional symptoms. It is caused by a group A hemolytic streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes), is contagious, and formerly often occured epidemically. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]