pox

UK: /pɒks/ US: /pɑks/ ,(poks)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

pox /pɑks/   n. 

1. Pathology [uncountable] a disease characterized by marks or pocks on the skin, as chickenpox.
2. Pathology [uncountable] syphilis.
3. a curse:
   [countable* singular;
   a + ~] A pox on you and your bright ideas!

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

pox  (poks), n. [Pathol.]

1. Pathology a disease characterized by multiple skin pustules, as smallpox.
2. Pathology syphilis.
3. Plant Diseases Also called soil rot. a disease of sweet potatoes, characterized by numerous pitlike lesions on the roots, caused by a fungus, Streptomyces ipomoea.
4. (used interjectionally to express distaste, rejection, aversion, etc.):
   A pox on you and your bright ideas!

• spelling, spelled variant of pocks, plural of pock 1540–50 (earlier as surname)

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

pox / pɒks/ noun

1. any disease characterized by the formation of pustules on the skin that often leave pockmarks when healed
2. the pox ⇒
   an informal name for syphilis
3. a pox on someone ⇒ (interjection) an expression of intense disgust or aversion for someone

Etymology: 15th Century: changed from pocks, plural of pock