plague spots

Noun

plague spot (plural plague spots)

1. A spot on the skin that is characteristic of the plague or of a similar disease.
   • But no plague-spot appeared, and when Steb woke up in the afternoon and demanded something to eat, it was pretty evicent that he was merely suffering from a feverish cold.1881, Edward Newenham Hoare, The Brave Men of Eyam, Or, A Tale of the Great Plague Year, page 193

   Synonyms:

   God's token

2. A location where plague is active.
   • He notes that South Elmham deanery 'appears to have been a plague spot', but regrettably he supplies no reason for its unenviable condition.2005, J. F. D. Shrewsbury, A History of Bubonic Plague in the British Isles, page 98
3. (figuratively) A location that is a plague or scourge; a place of corruption and degeneracy.
   • Suffice it that all that is most worthless in Europe may be seen gathered round the gaming-tables at Monte Carlo. The artist who did these drawings has been there. Well, I thank Heaven we have no such plague-spot in this fair England of ours.1899, The Butterfly - Volumes 1-2