1. people who have leprosy, a chronic infectious disease affecting the skin and nerves
Usage: medical; plural of leper
2. people who are shunned or avoided by others
Usage: figurative; sometimes considered insensitive

Examples

• In biblical times, lepers were often forced to live outside the city.
• The hospital provided care for lepers when few others would help them.
• Modern medicine has made leprosy treatable, improving life for former lepers.
• The scandal made them social lepers in their small town.
• After the controversy, he was treated like one of the lepers by his colleagues.
• The charity worked to reduce stigma against lepers and their families.