scrofulous
Tubercular lymph node swelling
Scrofulous originally described a form of tuberculosis affecting the lymph nodes of the neck, causing swelling and disfigurement.
The word now appears almost exclusively in its figurative sense: morally corrupt, degenerate, or squalid.
A scrofulous character is seedy and disreputable; a scrofulous neighborhood is run-down and vice-ridden.
The word carries a tone of literary contempt: the scrofulous underbelly of the city.
Swollen, infected nodes
- cervicalOf the neck
- glandularOf secretion-producing organs
- lymphaticOf fluid-draining vessels
- abscessesPus-filled infected cavities
caseous necrosis · tuberculosis · infection · chronic · ulceration · scarring · suppurative · fistula
Using up of resources
- phthisisPulmonary wasting disease
- mycobacteriumGenus of tuberculosis bacteria
- sanatoriumFacility for prolonged recovery
- Koch's bacillusTuberculosis-causing microorganism
pulmonary · night sweats · sputum · contagious · tuberculin · pleurisy · latent · Victorian
Morally corrupt, perverse
- degenerateDecline morally or physically
- debasedReduced in worth
- degradedReduced in rank or quality
- sordidMorally foul or base
dissolute · decadent · tainted · corrupted · unwholesome · base · ignoble · low
Provoking strong revulsion
- revoltingCausing strong disgust
- loathsomeArousing intense disgust
- repellentCauses strong aversion
- abhorrentCausing intense revulsion
offensive · foul · vile · noisome · odious · nauseating · hideous · ghastly
Lacking color intensity
- wanPale and unwell-looking
- sallowUnhealthily yellowish complexion
- gauntLean from deprivation
- emaciatedAbnormally wasted from hunger
frail · weak · debilitated · feeble · ailing · unhealthy · infirm · withered
Old and outdated
- obsoleteNo longer in use
- datedOld-fashioned or courted
- VictorianOf a prim era
- nineteenth-centuryThe years 1801-1900
Dickensian · historical · outmoded · old-fashioned · bygone · quaint · period · anachronistic
lymphadenitis
Swollen, infected nodes
abscesses · caseous necrosis · tuberculosis · infection · chronic · ulceration · scarring · suppurative · fistula
consumption
Using up of resources
- phthisisPulmonary wasting disease
- mycobacteriumGenus of tuberculosis bacteria
- sanatoriumFacility for prolonged recovery
Koch's bacillus · pulmonary · night sweats · sputum · contagious · tuberculin · pleurisy · latent · Victorian · wasting disease
depraved
Morally corrupt, perverse
- degenerateDecline morally or physically
- debasedReduced in worth
- degradedReduced in rank or quality
sordid · dissolute · decadent · tainted · corrupted · unwholesome · base · ignoble · low · vitiated
disgusting
Provoking strong revulsion
abhorrent · offensive · foul · vile · noisome · odious · nauseating · hideous · ghastly · gruesome
pale
Lacking color intensity
emaciated · frail · weak · debilitated · feeble · ailing · unhealthy · infirm · withered · anemic
antiquated
Old and outdated
nineteenth-century · Dickensian · historical · outmoded · old-fashioned · bygone · quaint · period · anachronistic