Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Whitlow \Whit"low\, n. [Prov. E. whickflaw, for quickflaw, i.
   e., a flaw or sore at the quick; cf. Icel. kvika the quick
   under the nail or under a horse's hoof. See {Quick}, a., and
   {Flaw}.]
   1. (Med.) An inflammation of the fingers or toes, generally
      of the last phalanx, terminating usually in suppuration.
      The inflammation may occupy any seat between the skin and
      the bone, but is usually applied to a felon or
      inflammation of the periosteal structures of the bone.

   2. (Far.) An inflammatory disease of the feet. It occurs
      round the hoof, where an acrid matter is collected.

   {Whitlow grass} (Bot.), name given to several inconspicuous
      herbs, which were thought to be a cure for the whitlow, as
      {Saxifraga tridactylites}, {Draba verna}, and several
      species of {Paronychia}.

Source : WordNet®

whitlow
     n : a purulent infection at the end of a finger or toe in the
         area surrounding the nail [syn: {felon}]