Saint Anthony's fire

Saint Anthony's fire
Saint An·tho·ny's fire .sānt-.an(t)-thə-nēz-, chiefly Brit -.an-tə- n any of several inflammatory or gangrenous conditions (as erysipelas or ergotism) of the skin
Anthony Saint (ca 250-350)
Egyptian monk. St. Anthony is regarded as the founder of Christian monasticism. From the age of 20 he practiced an ascetic life, living in absolute solitude on mountains or in the desert. He occasionally emerged from his seclusion in order to instruct and organize the monastic life of other hermits who had imitated him or to preach against heresies. He is the patron saint of swineherds, and in the art of the Middle Ages he is shown with a small pig at his side. Since pork fat was used to dress the wounds of skin diseases, he became the saint of those who care for the sick, and skin diseases such as erysipelas and ergotism became known as Saint Anthony's fire.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • Saint Anthony's fire — Saint Saint (s[=a]nt), n. [F., fr. L. sanctus sacred, properly p. p. of sancire to render sacred by a religious act, to appoint as sacred; akin to sacer sacred. Cf. {Sacred}, {Sanctity}, {Sanctum}, {Sanctus}.] 1. A person sanctified; a holy or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Saint Anthony's fire — (also known historically as Ignis Sacer and Holy Fire ) may refer to one of the following infectious diseases:*Ergotism (this meaning particularly common in France and Germany) *Erysipelas (this meaning particularly common in England and the… …   Wikipedia

  • Saint Anthony's fire — n. any of several skin conditions or inflammations, as erysipelas or ergotism …   English World dictionary

  • Saint Anthony's fire — noun any of several inflammatory or gangrenous skin conditions • Hypernyms: ↑skin disease, ↑disease of the skin, ↑skin disorder • Hyponyms: ↑erysipelas * * * noun Usage: usually capitalized S&A …   Useful english dictionary

  • Saint Anthony's fire — Saint An′thony s fire′ n. pat any of certain skin conditions that are of an inflammatory or gangrenous nature, as erysipelas • Etymology: 1570–80 …   From formal English to slang

  • Saint Elmo's fire — Saint Saint (s[=a]nt), n. [F., fr. L. sanctus sacred, properly p. p. of sancire to render sacred by a religious act, to appoint as sacred; akin to sacer sacred. Cf. {Sacred}, {Sanctity}, {Sanctum}, {Sanctus}.] 1. A person sanctified; a holy or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Saint Anthony's fire — noun Date: 14th century any of several inflammations or gangrenous conditions (as erysipelas or ergotism) of the skin …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Saint Anthony's fire — Pathol. (formerly) any of certain skin conditions that are of an inflammatory or gangrenous nature, as erysipelas, hospital gangrene, or ergotism. [1570 80] * * * …   Universalium

  • Saint Anthony's fire — noun Any of several inflammatory conditions of the skin, including erysipelas, herpes zoster, and ergotism …   Wiktionary

  • Saint Anthony's fire — A disease known today as ergotism, caused by a fungus which contaminated bread made from damp flour …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

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