Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SYPH'I-LIS, n. [A term coined by Fracastorius, and introduced into nosology by Savages. Its etymology is unknown.]

A disease characterized by ulcers of a peculiar character on the genitals, succeeded by inguinal buboes. So far, the disease is local. The indications of a constitutional affection are ulcers in the throat, copper-colored eruptions on the skin, pains in the bones, nodes, &c. This malady is exclusively contagious.