black measles: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical/Historical
Quick answer
What does “black measles” mean?
A severe and potentially fatal form of measles characterized by internal bleeding, causing dark skin eruptions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A severe and potentially fatal form of measles characterized by internal bleeding, causing dark skin eruptions.
A dated or technical medical term, historically used for the hemorrhagic form of measles. It is also sometimes used (though incorrectly) as a colloquial name for other diseases like Rocky Mountain spotted fever or typhus, which also cause dark skin spots.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference; the term is equally archaic in both varieties.
Connotations
Both associate it with historical, pre-vaccination-era diseases and severe illness.
Frequency
Virtually never used in contemporary speech or general writing in either variety; found only in historical medical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “black measles” in a Sentence
The patient contracted black measles.An epidemic of black measles swept the village.It was diagnosed as black measles.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “black measles” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The black measles outbreak was devastating.
- Historical records describe black measles symptoms.
American English
- The black measles epidemic wiped out families.
- He studied black measles mortality rates.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in historical or specialized medical papers discussing pre-20th century disease.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would likely cause confusion.
Technical
The primary domain, though now largely superseded by 'measles hemorrhagic complication' or specific virus/disease names.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “black measles”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “black measles”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “black measles”
- Using it to refer to standard measles (rubeola).
- Confusing it with 'black plague' (bubonic plague).
- Assuming it is a common term in modern English.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It refers to a rare, severe, and often fatal hemorrhagic complication of measles, not the standard presentation of the disease.
Measles itself still occurs, but the specific hemorrhagic complication ('black measles') is extremely rare in the modern era due to vaccination and better supportive care.
Colloquially and incorrectly, it has been used for other rash-causing illnesses like typhus or Rocky Mountain spotted fever, but this is imprecise.
The 'black' refers to the dark-coloured skin eruptions caused by bleeding under the skin (hemorrhage), not the typical red rash.
A severe and potentially fatal form of measles characterized by internal bleeding, causing dark skin eruptions.
Black measles is usually technical/historical in register.
Black measles: in British English it is pronounced /blæk ˈmiː.zəlz/, and in American English it is pronounced /blæk ˈmi.zəlz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'black' as the colour of the blood under the skin in this severe form, unlike the standard red rash of typical measles.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISEASE IS DARKNESS (the 'black' modifier intensifies the danger and mystery of the illness).
Practice
Quiz
In what context is the term 'black measles' most accurately used today?