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varicelle

chickenpox

noun vah-ree-SEL Rare
Body & Health Health & Illness

Usage Note

Varicelle is the standard medical and everyday term for chickenpox. It is distinct from variole (smallpox). A common childhood illness in France, vaccination against la varicelle became part of the recommended schedule more recently than in some other countries. The adjective form is varicelleux.

Examples

"Mon fils a attrapé la varicelle à l'école."

Natural Translation

My son caught chickenpox at school.

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