lep·ro·sy (l?p?r?-s?)n. A chronic, mildly contagious disease of tropical and subtropical regions, caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae, marked by lesions of the skin and mucous membranes and damage to peripheral nerves and other organs that, if untreated, can progress to disfigurement, lack of sensation, and blindness. Also called Hansen’s disease.[Middle English lepruse, from leprus, leprous; see leprous.]lep·rot?ic (l?-pr?t??k) adj.American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.leprosy (?l?pr?s?) n (Pathology) pathol a chronic infectious disease occurring mainly in tropical and subtropical regions, characterized by the formation of painful inflamed nodules beneath the skin and disfigurement and wasting of affected parts, caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae. Also called: Hansen’s disease [C16: from leprous + -y3]Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014lep?ro?sy (?l?p r? si) n. a chronic, slowly progressing, usu. mildly infectious disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium leprae, marked by destruction of tissue and loss of sensation and characterized in persons with poor resistance by numerous inflamed skin nodules and in persons with better resistance by local areas of firm, dry patches. Also called Hansen’s disease. [1525?35] lep?rot?ic (l??pr?t ?k) adj. Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.lep·ro·sy (l?p?r?-s?) A disease caused by a bacterium that damages nerves, skin, and mucous membranes. Leprosy progresses slowly, but if untreated it can destroy the affected body tissues.The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.