from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Measles \Mea"sles\, n.; pl. in form, but used as singular in
senses 1, 2, & 3. [D. mazelen; akin to G. masern, pl., and E.
mazer, and orig. meaning, little spots. See {Mazer}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. (Med.) A contagious viral febrile disorder commencing with
catarrhal symptoms, and marked by the appearance on the
third day of an eruption of distinct red circular spots,
which coalesce in a crescentic form, are slightly raised
above the surface, and after the fourth day of the
eruption gradually decline; rubeola. It is a common
childhood disease.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
Measles commences with the ordinary symptoms of
fever. --Am. Cyc.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Veter. Med.) A disease of cattle and swine in which the
flesh is filled with the embryos of different varieties of
the tapeworm.
[1913 Webster]
3. A disease of trees. [Obs.]
[1913 Webster]
4. pl. (Zool.) The larvae of any tapeworm ({Taenia}) in the
cysticerus stage, when contained in meat. Called also
{bladder worms}.
[1913 Webster]
{German measles} A mild contagious viral disease, which may
cause birth defects if contracted by a pregnant woman
during early pregnancy; also called {rubella}.
[PJC]