- Saint Anthony's fire
- A disease known today as ergotism, caused by a fungus which contaminated bread made from damp flour.
Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases. Christopher Coredon with Ann Williams.
Saint Anthony's fire
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Saint Anthony's fire — Saint Saint (s[=a]nt), n. [F., fr. L. sanctus sacred, properly p. p. of sancire to render sacred by a religious act, to appoint as sacred; akin to sacer sacred. Cf. {Sacred}, {Sanctity}, {Sanctum}, {Sanctus}.] 1. A person sanctified; a holy or… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Saint Anthony's fire — (also known historically as Ignis Sacer and Holy Fire ) may refer to one of the following infectious diseases:*Ergotism (this meaning particularly common in France and Germany) *Erysipelas (this meaning particularly common in England and the… … Wikipedia
Saint Anthony's fire — Saint An·tho·ny s fire .sānt .an(t) thə nēz , chiefly Brit .an tə n any of several inflammatory or gangrenous conditions (as erysipelas or ergotism) of the skin Anthony Saint (ca 250 350) Egyptian monk. St. Anthony is regarded as the founder of… … Medical dictionary
Saint Anthony's fire — n. any of several skin conditions or inflammations, as erysipelas or ergotism … English World dictionary
Saint Anthony's fire — noun any of several inflammatory or gangrenous skin conditions • Hypernyms: ↑skin disease, ↑disease of the skin, ↑skin disorder • Hyponyms: ↑erysipelas * * * noun Usage: usually capitalized S&A … Useful english dictionary
Saint Anthony's fire — Saint An′thony s fire′ n. pat any of certain skin conditions that are of an inflammatory or gangrenous nature, as erysipelas • Etymology: 1570–80 … From formal English to slang
Saint Elmo's fire — Saint Saint (s[=a]nt), n. [F., fr. L. sanctus sacred, properly p. p. of sancire to render sacred by a religious act, to appoint as sacred; akin to sacer sacred. Cf. {Sacred}, {Sanctity}, {Sanctum}, {Sanctus}.] 1. A person sanctified; a holy or… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Saint Anthony's fire — noun Date: 14th century any of several inflammations or gangrenous conditions (as erysipelas or ergotism) of the skin … New Collegiate Dictionary
Saint Anthony's fire — Pathol. (formerly) any of certain skin conditions that are of an inflammatory or gangrenous nature, as erysipelas, hospital gangrene, or ergotism. [1570 80] * * * … Universalium
Saint Anthony's fire — noun Any of several inflammatory conditions of the skin, including erysipelas, herpes zoster, and ergotism … Wiktionary
