leprosarium
English
editEtymology
editFrom Medieval Latin leprōsārium, from leprōsus (“leprous”) + -ārium (“-ary: building related to”). Doublet of leprosery.
Noun
editleprosarium (plural leprosariums or leprosaria)
- An isolated building or community used to house lepers, usually in permanent quarantine from the rest of society.
- 1971, José Barchilon, introduction to Madness & Civilization:
- In the middle of the twelfth century, France had more than 2,000 leprosariums
- 1971, José Barchilon, introduction to Madness & Civilization:
Usage notes
editAlthough it is less common in general use than leper colony, medical and scholarly works often prefer the more clinical leprosarium. The location under discussion also influences English usage, with leprosaria more common in Spanish-speaking areas and leprosy village in Chinese ones.
Synonyms
edit- leprosaria, leprosy (obs.)
Hyponyms
edit- See leprosery (buildings) and leper colony (communities)
Translations
editReferences
edit- “leprosarium, n.”, in OED Online , Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, 2022.