from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Lupus \Lu"pus\, n. [L., a wolf. See {Wolf}.]
1. (Med.) originally, a cutaneous disease with the appearance
of the skin having been gnawed, and occurring under two
distinct forms. Now used as a generic term for over ten
distinguishable diseases having visible cutaneous
symptoms.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
Note: {Lupus erythematosus} is characterized by an eruption
of red patches, which become incrusted, leaving
superficial scars. {Lupus vulgaris} is marked by the
development of nodules which often ulcerate deeply and
produce great deformity. Prior to 1900 the latter was
often confounded with cancer, and some varieties of
cancer were included under Lupus. {Systemic lupus
erythematosus} is an inflammatory connective tissue
disease occurring mostly in women, characterized by
skin rash, fever, and arthritic symptoms, and often
accompanied by hemolytic anemia, inflammation of the
pericardium, glomerular lesions, and hyperglobulinemia;
the condition shows positive in the LE cell test.
--[Stedman]br/ [1913 Webster +PJC]
2. (Astron.) The Wolf, a constellation situated south of
Scorpio.
[1913 Webster]