noun
- a serious infectious disease caused by a virus, characterized by fever and a skin rash with small blisters that leave permanent scars
Usage: historical; eradicated through vaccination
Examples
- Smallpox killed millions of people throughout history.
- The last natural case of smallpox occurred in 1977.
- Vaccination campaigns successfully eradicated smallpox worldwide.
- Many historical figures died from smallpox, including several monarchs.
- Smallpox scars were once a common sight on people’s faces.
- The World Health Organization declared smallpox eradicated in 1980.