variola major

1 9.2

A severe, common form of smallpox that often caused fever, many skin sores, and many deaths

noun
/ˌværiˈoʊlə ˈmeɪdʒər/

Specialized

: variola mayor

The historical impact of variola major on populations was devastating, leading to high mortality rates.

Examples

Variola major is the more severe form of variola major that can be fatal to those infected.
And that is that there were three species of the genus of Orthopox viruses, Variola major, Variola minor and cowpox.
But we'll be concerned exclusively here with variola major, the main cause of smallpox historically.
Infected individuals often show symptoms of variola major, including fever and skin eruptions.

Synonyms

smallpox

vsvariola major

Specialized

77 3.9

A very contagious disease that causes fever and many skin sores that leave scars

is specifically the more severe and common form of that disease

smallpox virus

vsvariola major

Specialized

3 3.9

A tiny germ that causes the serious disease smallpox in people

is the clinical disease form not the infectious microscopic agent

variola

vsvariola major

Specialized

1 9.9

A serious contagious viral disease that causes fever, a rash with pus-filled bumps, and can be fatal

is the more severe and common form of that disease

variola virus

vsvariola major

Specialized

1 5.9

A very small germ that causes smallpox in people

is the disease form rather than the microscopic virus that causes it

variola major virus

vsvariola major

Specialized

7.7

A very deadly form of smallpox that often causes death

is the disease form showing greater severity and higher fatality in people

Surface Forms

variola major singular

variola majors plural

Morphology

variola + major

The term combines the disease noun 'variola' with the adjective 'major' that denotes greater severity or importance, so the meaning 'the more severe form of smallpox' is directly inferable from its parts. This degree-marking pattern (X major = more severe variant) is common in medical and cross-linguistic usage, making the compound understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

Variola major comes from old Latin words. variola meant 'pimple' or 'pox' and major meant 'bigger' or 'more serious', so the name was used for the heavier, more deadly form of 'smallpox'.