yaws

noun

ˈyȯz How to pronounce yaws (audio)
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
Synonyms of yawsnext
: a contagious tropical disease especially of children caused by a spirochete (Treponema pertenue) closely resembling the causative agent of syphilis and marked by infectious ulcerative skin lesions with later bone involvement

called also frambesia

Examples of yaws in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Campaigns to wipe out yaws, syphilis, malaria, smallpox and polio required syringes, and many were reused, often with official approval. — Andrew Moseman, Discover Magazine, 20 Sep. 2010 Treponemal diseases including syphilis and yaws can leave distinct lesions on bones of the infected, as seen on these remains of infants from Mexico's Colonial Era. — Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 21 June 2018

Word History

Etymology

probably from an English-based creole of the Caribbean

First Known Use

1679, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of yaws was in 1679

Browse Nearby Words

yawroot
yaws
yaws fly
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Cite this Entry

“Yaws.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yaws. Accessed 11 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

yaws

singular or plural noun
ˈyȯz How to pronounce yaws (audio)
: a tropical contagious skin disease especially of children caused by a bacterium that is a spirochete

Medical Definition

yaws

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction
ˈyȯz How to pronounce yaws (audio)
: an infectious contagious tropical disease especially of children that is caused by a spirochete of the genus Treponema (T. pertenue) and that is characterized by a primary ulcerating lesion on the skin followed by a secondary stage in which ulcers develop all over the body and by a third stage in which the bones are involved
Yaws is a chronic childhood infection spread by casual contact and causing long-lasting sores on the legs and and arms. In time this infection attacks the bones, leaving scars similar to those from syphilis.— John Noble Wilford
Other threats came from organisms co-evolving with humans, including tapeworms and such bacteria as Treponema, the agent of syphilis, and the similar skin infection, yaws.— Roy Porter

called also frambesia, pian

More from Merriam-Webster on yaws

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for yaws

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about yaws

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