Er`y*sip"e*las (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. 'erysi`pelas; 'eryqro`s red + pe`lla hide, skin. See Red, and Pell, n.] (Med.) St. Anthony's fire; a febrile disease accompanied with a diffused inflammation of the skin, which, starting usually from a single point, spreads gradually over its surface. It is usually regarded as contagious, and often occurs epidemically.

• severe skin disease caused by streptococcus infection in surface and surrounding tissue, marked by continued spreading inflammation