bubo

noun

bu·​bo ˈbyü-(ˌ)bō How to pronounce bubo (audio)
ˈbü-
plural buboes
: an inflammatory swelling of a lymph gland especially in the groin
bubonic adjective

Examples of bubo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web After an incubation period of two to eight days, patients develop fever, headache and a bubo. Mark Kortepeter, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 In septicemic plague, plague bacteria gain access to the blood stream, with or without a preceding bubo. Mark Kortepeter, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 People who are exposed to the plague generally begin experiencing symptoms — including swollen lymph nodes (buboes), fever, nausea, weakness, chills and muscle aches — within two to eight days of exposure. Sabienna Bowman, Peoplemag, 12 Feb. 2024 Symptoms can include a sudden onset of fever, nausea, weakness, chills, muscle aches and visibly swollen lymph nodes called buboes. Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 11 Feb. 2024 Porters greeting the ships found a grisly sight: a few ill sailors, their bodies ravaged with black, oozing buboes, standing on deck among their dead crewmates. Fox News, 22 Apr. 2020 The inflamed lymph gland was widely known as a bubo, giving rise to the term bubonic plague. National Geographic, 23 Apr. 2020 Pus filled buboes then grow on parts of the body -- generally in the armpit and groin area -- and a fever develops. Fox News, 22 Apr. 2020 But, within a few days, victims developed the classic symptoms of bubonic plague—lumps, or buboes, in their groin and under their arms. Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bubo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin bubon-, bubo, from Greek boubōn

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bubo was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near bubo

Cite this Entry

“Bubo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bubo. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

bubo

noun
bu·​bo ˈb(y)ü-bō How to pronounce bubo (audio)
plural buboes
: an inflamed swelling of a lymph node especially in the groin
bubonic adjective

Medical Definition

bubo

noun
bu·​bo ˈb(y)ü-(ˌ)bō How to pronounce bubo (audio)
plural buboes
: an inflammatory swelling of a lymph node especially in the groin
bubonic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on bubo

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