erysipelas UK /ˌɛ.ɹɪˈsɪp.ɪl.əs/US /ˌɛɹ.əˈsɪp.əl.əs/ noun1 •An acute, sometimes recurrent febrile disease caused by infection of a hemolytic streptococcus, associated with intense edematous local inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissues, and marked by large raised red patches on the skin. formserysipelases