black death

noun

often capitalized B&D

1

: plague sense 2b

2

: a severe epidemic of plague and especially bubonic plague that occurred in Asia and Europe in the 14th century

Word History

Etymology

from the black patches formed on the skin of its victims

First Known Use

1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

black death

noun

: plague (as bubonic plague) caused by a bacterium and especially in the epidemic form that spread through Asia and Europe in the 14th century

also : the 14th-century epidemic of plague

Medical Definition

black death

noun

variants or Black Death

: plague sense 2

also : a severe epidemic of plague and especially bubonic plague that occurred in Asia and Europe in the 14th century