shingles

[shing-guhlz]

noun

(used with a singular or plural verb)

1. a disease caused by the varicella zoster virus, especially by reactivated virus in an older person, characterized by skin eruptions and pain along the course of involved sensory nerves.

shingles

/ ˈʃɪŋɡəlz /

noun

1. Technical names: herpes zoster.  zoster. (functioning as singular) an acute viral disease affecting the ganglia of certain nerves, characterized by inflammation, pain, and skin eruptions along the course of the affected nerve

shingles

1. See under herpes

Word History and Origins

Origin of shingles¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Medieval Latin cingulum, in Latin: “girdle,” from cingere “to gird, cinch” ( cincture ); translation of Greek zṓnē “belt” or zōstḗr “girdle”; zone, zoster

Word History and Origins

Origin of shingles¹

C14: from Medieval Latin cingulum girdle, rendering Greek zōnē _zone

Example Sentences

Some people who have had chickenpox develop a related condition called shingles later in life.

From BBC

The host quipped that if he would have attended the show he would have had “double shingles.”

From Los Angeles Times

Canada has also targeted carpets, flooring and shingles with counter measures.

From BBC

“What the shingles vaccine does is it dampens reactivations of latent viruses in a way that may be protecting other parts of your body,” Martin said.

From Salon

Her research, into the workings of the shingles vaccine, didn’t seem remotely controversial.

From Los Angeles Times