The word 'varicella' is a modern medical term coined in the 18th century. It is a direct diminutive formation from the Latin word varix (genitive varicis), which referred to a dilated or swollen vein. The addition of the Latin diminutive suffix -ella creates the meaning "a little swelling" or "a small varix." This name was chosen because the characteristic skin lesions of the disease were thought to resemble tiny blisters or swellings. The term serves as the formal, scientific name for the common childhood illness known as chickenpox.

Structure: varic (small swelling) + ella (diminutive suffix) varic (from Latin varix, meaning a dilated vein or swelling) + ella (a Latin diminutive suffix meaning "small").