n.
A painful infection of the mouth and throat characterized by ulcerations of the mucous membranes, bleeding, and foul breath. It is caused by the bacterium Fusobacterium fusiforme in combination with the spirochete Treponema vincentii. Also called Vincent's angina, Vincent's infection.
[From its occurrence among soldiers in trenches.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
