variola

noun

va·​ri·​o·​la və-ˈrī-ə-lə  ˌver-ē-ˈō-lə 

: smallpox

also : its causative poxvirus (species Variola virus of the genus Orthopoxvirus)

Examples of variola in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Smallpox, or variola, is one of the deadliest pathogens to have struck humanity—in the best of cases, around a third of patients with smallpox would die and some versions were almost always fatal—and one of history’s biggest killers. —Robert Hart, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2024

The variola virus that causes the deadly pox had been known to liquidate entire communities, towns, and cities since antiquity, stalking along trade routes and capitalizing upon human behavior and patterns of movement. —Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 1 Aug. 2015

The variola virus that caused smallpox was not only lethal but also highly contagious. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 21 June 2022

The variola virus that causes smallpox and the monkeypox virus belong to the same family. —Jacqueline Howard, CNN, 24 May 2022

But other viruses, including influenza and variola (pox) have been found in archaeological human remains as much as 400 years old, and Mühlemann says that others like herpes viruses, parvoviruses, and adenoviruses might be good candidates. —Kiona N. Smith, Ars Technica, 11 May 2018

Additional testing of the variola samples is under way to determine if the material in the vials is viable (i.e., can grow in tissue culture). —Maryn McKenna, WIRED, 8 July 2014

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Medieval Latin, "pustule, pox," going back to Late Latin, "pustule," from varius "affected by pox, leprous" (adjective derivative of varus "pimple" + Latin -ola, variant of -ula -ule after vowels) — more at varix

Note: Late Latin varius is very likely independent of classical varius "having contrasting colors, varied" (see various entry 1).

First Known Use

1543, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

variola

noun

va·​ri·​o·​la və-ˈrī-ə-lə 

: smallpox

also : the poxvirus of the genus Orthopoxvirus (species Variola virus) that is the causative agent of smallpox