# scarlet fever

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. A streptococcal infection, mainly occurring among children, and characterized by a red skin rash, sore throat and fever.
2. Romantic attraction to soldiers in preference to other people.

## Etymology
(attraction to soldiers): In allusion to the red coats they used to wear.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/scarlet-fever