bluetongue

[ bloo-tuhng ]

noun

, Veterinary Pathology.

1. a viral disease of sheep and sometimes cattle, transmitted by biting insects and characterized by high fever, excessive salivation, swelling of the face and tongue, and cyanosis of the tongue.

bluetongue

¹

/ ˌbluːˈtʌŋ /

noun

1. vet science a viral disease of domestic and wild ruminants transmitted by arthropods and characterized by reproductive problems or vasculitis. Sheep, which are most frequently affected, develop swelling of the face and a cyanotic tongue

bluetongue

²

/ ˌbluːˈtʌŋ /

noun

1. an Australian lizard, Tiliqua scincoides , having a cobalt-blue tongue

Word History and Origins

Origin of bluetongue¹

First recorded in 1860–65; blue + tongue

Example Sentences

Between November and March there were 126 bluetongue cases across four counties in England.

From BBC

The government said there is a "very high probability" bluetongue virus will be more widely spread by infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

From BBC

Officials in the U.K., which has been free of bluetongue since 2010, are worried infected midges will blow across the North Sea from the Netherlands.

From Science Magazine

"In the past we have had infected midges blowing to the UK from mainland Europe carrying diseases like bluetongue virus," said Dr Blackwell.

From BBC

The animals were rejected by several countries over fears they had bovine bluetongue virus.

From Reuters