rubella

UK: /ruːˈbɛlə/ US: /ruˈbɛlə/ ,(ro̅o̅ bel′ə)

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

ru•bel•la /ruˈbɛlə/   n. [uncountable]

1. Pathology a usually mild infection caused by a virus, with a fever, cough, and a red rash.

Also called German measles. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

ru•bel•la  (ro̅o̅ bel′ə), n. [Pathol.]

1. Pathology a usually mild contagious viral disease characterized by fever, mild upper respiratory congestion, and a fine red rash lasting a few days: if contracted by a woman during early pregnancy, it may cause serious damage to the fetus. Also called German measles. 

• Neo-Latin, noun, nominal use of neuter plural of Latin rubellus reddish, derivative of ruber red¹; for formation see castellum
• 1880–85

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

rubella / ruːˈbɛlə/ noun

1. a mild contagious viral disease, somewhat similar to measles, characterized by cough, sore throat, skin rash, and occasionally vomiting. It can cause congenital defects if caught during the first three months of pregnancy
   Also called: German measles

Etymology: 19th Century: from New Latin, from Latin rubellus reddish, from rubeus red