Pox/pɑːks/ Definition 1 of 2Pro Tip 1/3Historical Importance Often used in historical texts when discussing epidemics that shaped human history. The pox epidemics transformed societies. Pro Tip 2/3Medical Context Primarily used in medical history, less common in modern medical discussions. Physicians in the past studied various forms of pox. Pro Tip 3/3Not Just Humans Can refer to similar diseases in animals, like cowpox affecting cattle. Researchers examined cowpox to understand human pox viruses better.