PESTIS MAJOR Meaning and
Definition
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Pestis major, also known as the "Major Plague" or the "Great Plague," refers to a severe epidemic outbreak of the contagious disease known as bubonic plague. Derived from Latin, "pestis" means plague, and "major" signifies its significant scale or severity. The term has historically been used to describe large-scale outbreaks of bubonic plague that resulted in high mortality rates, causing immense devastation and widespread panic within affected regions.
Bubonic plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, is primarily transmitted through the bite of fleas that primarily infest rats. The disease manifests with symptoms such as fever, swollen and painful lymph nodes (buboes), fatigue, and chills. Without proper treatment, mortality rates can be extremely high, reaching up to 60-90% depending on the strain and conditions.
One notable occurrence of Pestis major is the infamous Black Death pandemic that ravaged Europe during the 14th century. As one of the most devastating pandemics in human history, the Black Death resulted in the deaths of millions of people across the continent, causing vast socio-economic, political, and demographic consequences.
In contemporary usage, "pestis major" still serves as a technical term within the field of infectious diseases and epidemiology to refer to severe outbreaks of bubonic plague. However, it is worth noting that with advancements in medical knowledge, public health practices, and antibiotic treatments, the threat and impact of Pestis major have significantly decreased compared to historic outbreaks.
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Ordinary bubonic plague of severe form.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PESTIS MAJOR
- oestis major
- lestis major
- -estis major
- 0estis major
- pwstis major
- psstis major
- pdstis major
- prstis major
- p4stis major
- p3stis major
- peatis major
- peztis major
- pextis major
- pedtis major
- peetis major
- pewtis major
- pesris major
- pesfis major
- pesgis major
- pesyis major
Etymology of PESTIS MAJOR
The etymology of the word pestis major traces back to Latin. Pestis means plague or epidemic disease, while major translates to greater or more important in English. Therefore, pestis major can be understood as the greater plague or the major epidemic.
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