black death
noun
often capitalized B&D
1
: plague sense 2b
2
: a severe epidemic of plague and especially bubonic plague that occurred in Asia and Europe in the 14th century
Word History
Etymology
from the black patches formed on the skin of its victims
First Known Use
1755, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Medical Definition
black death
noun
variants or Black Death
: plague sense 2
also : a severe epidemic of plague and especially bubonic plague that occurred in Asia and Europe in the 14th century