white plague
[/waɪt pleɪg/]
nounpl: white plagues
peste branca
1. tuberculosis, especially when referring to its historical prevalence and devastating impact on populations
In the 19th century, the white plague claimed millions of lives across Europe and America.
No século XIX, a peste branca ceifou milhões de vidas na Europa e América.
2. any widespread disease or affliction with high mortality rates, used metaphorically
The social commentator referred to drug addiction as the modern white plague.
O comentarista social referiu-se ao vício em drogas como a peste branca moderna.
This term originated in the 19th and early 20th centuries when tuberculosis was a leading cause of death in industrialized nations. It was called 'white' due to the paleness of affected individuals. The phrase is now largely historical and appears primarily in historical texts, literature, and medical history discussions. In contemporary usage, 'tuberculosis' or 'TB' are preferred.
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