Definition of 'mumps'

Word Frequency

mumps

(mʌmps )

uncountable noun

Mumps is a disease usually caught by children. It causes a mild fever and painful swelling of the glands in the neck.

Word Frequency

(mʌmps )

noun

(functioning as singular or plural)

an acute contagious viral disease of the parotid salivary glands, characterized by swelling of the affected parts, fever, and pain beneath the ear: usually affects children

. Also called: epidemic parotitis

Derived forms

mumpish (ˈmumpish)

adjective

Word origin of 'mumps'

C16: from mump1 (to grimace)

Word Frequency

(mʌmps ; mumps)

noun

an acute communicable disease, usually of childhood, caused by a paramyxovirus and characterized by swelling of the salivary glands, esp. the parotid, and, in adults, often complicated by inflammation of the testes, ovaries, etc.

Word origin of 'mumps'

pl. of obs. mump, a grimace: prob. from patient's appearance

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The clinic has been accused of irresponsible behaviour because there is no single vaccine available for mumps, nor has there been one for at least three years. Times, Sunday Times (2013)