Saint Anthony's fire

noun

variants or St. Anthony's fire

: any of several inflammations or gangrenous conditions (such as erysipelas or ergotism) of the skin

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

Saint Anthony's fire

noun

Saint An·​tho·​ny's fire

ˌsānt-ˌan(t)-thə-nēz-, chiefly British -ˌan-tə-

: any of several inflammatory or gangrenous conditions (as erysipelas or ergotism) of the skin