天てん刑けい病びょう

noun

Hansen's disease; leprosy

Rare, historical term for leprosy, now considered sensitive and largely replaced by ハンセン病. The kanji literally mean 'heavenly punishment disease', reflecting outdated beliefs.

• 昔むかしはハンセン病びょうを天てん刑けい病びょうと呼よぶことがあった。

  In the past, Hansen's disease was sometimes called tenkeibyō.