English

Adjective

scrofulous ‎(comparative more scrofulous, superlative most scrofulous)

1. (pathology) Of, related to, or suffering from scrofula.
   • 1757, John Rutty, A Methodical Synopsis of Mineral Waters, Comprehending the Most Celebrated Medicinal Waters, both Cold and Hot, of Great-Britain, Ireland, France, Germany, and Italy, and several other Parts of the World, London: Printed for William Johnston, at the Golden Ball in St. Paul's Church-Yard, OCLC 745173148, page 494:

     On the ſurface of the water there floats a liquid bitumen, although it be every day ſcummed off, as it doth on the lake Aſphaltites in Judæa: The Inhabitants uſe it as pitch: it is alſo found to be an excellent vulnerary, and good in curing old cacoethic and ſcrophulous ulcers.

   • 1919, W. Somerset Maugham, The Moon and Sixpence, chapter 50

     I'm told he lives with an ugly old Greek woman and has half a dozen scrofulous kids.

2. Morally degenerate; corrupt.

   a scrofulous politician

Derived terms

• scrofulously
• scrofulousness

Translations