erysipelas (&ebreve_;r&ibreve_;s&ibreve_;p&euptack_;l&aitalic_;s), n. [L., fr. Gr. 'erysipelas; 'eryqros red + pella 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]