lupus

noun

lu·​pus ˈlü-pəs 

1

: any of several diseases characterized by skin lesions

especially : systemic lupus erythematosus sense 2

2

Lupus astronomy : a southern constellation that is visible between the constellations of Scorpius and Centaurus and that is represented by the figure of a wolf

Above Lupus lies Scorpius, one of the few constellations whose star pattern actually suggests the object that it is named for. In the myths, the scorpion was assigned by Artemis, the hunting goddess, to kill Orion, far across the sky.

—Don Moser

Examples of lupus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Image Piecing together the story of my father, the Black cowboy-musician Jimmy Holiday April 26, 2023 Smith began making her food from scratch after being diagnosed with lupus and eczema. —Harmony Holiday, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2024

Selena Gomez: My Mind and Me delved into the actress’ battles with mental illness, lupus, and child stardom. —Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2024

Courtesy Dateline Bailey also struggled with a range of health problems — fibromyalgia, lupus, depression and anxiety, among others, Ericka said. —Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 5 Oct. 2024

Arthritis, fibromyalgia, osteoporosis, bursitis, lupus and more can be long, lingering issues with pain. —Tribune Content Agency, The Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin, from Latin, wolf

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lupus

• lupus erythematosus
• systemic lupus erythematosus

Medical Definition

lupus

noun

lu·​pus ˈlü-pəs 

: any of several diseases (as lupus vulgaris or systemic lupus erythematosus) characterized by skin lesions