Definition

A person who has a disease called leprosy, which causes skin sores and nerve damage. It can also refer to someone who is avoided or rejected by others.

Example

In ancient times, a leper was often forced to live away from the rest of the community.

Conversation

I read an article about how society used to treat people like lepers in the past.

That sounds really harsh; it must have been terrible for them.

Yeah, it's sad how people were shunned for something they couldn't control.

Definitely, we should be more compassionate towards those who are different.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Leper → The word 'leper' originates from the Old English 'lepr' (meaning a person afflicted with leprosy), which is derived from the Latin 'leprosus' (meaning scaly or rough), from 'lepra' (meaning leprosy). A leper is a person suffering from leprosy, a disease that causes severe skin lesions and disfigurement.

Memory Tip

Imagine someone suffering from a 'scaly' condition ('leprosus') — this helps you remember that a leper is a person afflicted with leprosy.

Visually Confused Words