Meanings
- uncountabledermatologyA viral infection of the skin or (occasionally) mucous membranes, caused by Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV), a DNA poxvirus.
It has been estimated that in the United States, office visits for molluscum contagiosum account for about 0.2% of total outpatient visits (22).
2010, Libby Edwards, Peter J. Lynch, Genital Dermatology Atlas, page 2033 more examples
The virus causing molluscum contagiosum is a member of the DNA pox family. It is particularly prevalent in underdeveloped countries, and afflicts over 20% of the population in some South Pacific regions. Children are its prime target, but adults can be affected as well.
2002, Mark B. Mengel, Warren Lee Holleman, Scott A. Fields, Fundamentals of Clinical Practice, page 774Molluscum contagiosum is a viral infection caused by the large poxvirus, and, as the name implies, it is spread by direct contact. In older adolescents and adults, it is most often passed by sexual contact.
2002, Richard B Birrer, Mary B. Cataletto, Pediatric Sports Medicine for Primary Care, page 156Molluscum contagiosum is a benign lesion usually seen on the skin and caused by a poxvirus.[…]An increased incidence of molluscum contagiosum has been observed in patients with HIV infection.[…]Molluscum contagiosum is extremely rare in the oral cavity.
2003, George Laskaris, Color Atlas of Oral Diseases, page 154Synonyms: MC, water wart
Synonyms & antonyms
nounA viral infection of the skin or (occasionally) mucous membranes, caused by Molluscum contagiosum virus (MCV), a DNA poxvirus.
Origin
From Latin inflected forms of molluscus (“soft”), + contagiosus (“contagious”) (from contagio (“contact”)).
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Chinese Mandarin 傳染性軟疣 /传染性软疣
- 傳染性軟疣 /传染性软疣 (chuánrǎnxìng ruǎnyóu)skin infection caused by Molluscum contagiosum virus
Finnish tarttuva ontelosyylä
- tarttuva ontelosyyläskin infection caused by Molluscum contagiosum virus
Portuguese molusco contagioso
- molusco contagiososkin infection caused by Molluscum contagiosum virus
Russian контагио́зный моллю́ск
- контагио́зный моллю́ск (kontagióznyj molljúsk)skin infection caused by Molluscum contagiosum virus
Spanish molusco contagioso
- molusco contagiososkin infection caused by Molluscum contagiosum virus
Swedish mollusker
- molluskerskin infection caused by Molluscum contagiosum virus
Cite this entry
molluscum contagiosum. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/molluscum%20contagiosum
“molluscum contagiosum.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/molluscum%20contagiosum. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “molluscum contagiosum,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/molluscum%20contagiosum.
Source: molluscum contagiosum on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.