leprosarium

English edit

Etymology edit

From Medieval Latin leprōsārium, from leprōsus (“leprous”) + -ārium (“-ary: building related to”). Doublet of leprosery.

Noun edit

leprosarium (plural leprosariums or leprosaria)

An isolated building or community used to house lepers, usually in permanent quarantine from the rest of society.
- 1971, José Barchilon, introduction to Madness & Civilization:
  In the middle of the twelfth century, France had more than 2,000 leprosariums

Usage notes edit

Although it is less common in general use than leper colony, medical and scholarly works often prefer the more clinical leprosarium. The location under discussion also influences English usage, with leprosaria more common in Spanish-speaking areas and leprosy village in Chinese ones.

Synonyms edit

leprosaria, leprosy (obs.)

Hyponyms edit

See leprosery (buildings) and leper colony (communities)

Translations edit

place used to house lepers — see leprosery,‎ leper colony

References edit

“leprosarium, n.”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, 2022.