spavin

[ spav-in ]

noun

, Veterinary Pathology.

1. a disease of the hock joint of horses in which enlargement occurs because of collected fluids bog spavin, bony growth bone spavin, or distention of the veins blood spavin.
2. an excrescence or enlargement so formed.

spavin

/ ˈspævɪn /

noun

1. vet science enlargement of the hock of a horse by a bony growth ( bony spavin ) or fluid accumulation in the joint ( bog spavin ), usually caused by inflammation or injury, and often resulting in lameness

Word History and Origins

Origin of spavin¹

1400–50; late Middle English spaveyne < Old French ( e ) spavain, esparvain swelling < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of spavin¹

C15: from Old French espavin, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

We became great friends, talked of everything, from love at first sight to bone spavins, and found that we agreed to a miracle.

From Project Gutenberg

She has curbs on her hocks and no hair on her knees; She has splints and has spavins wherever you please?

From Project Gutenberg

Every rascally jockey swore that his horse was the best, and, according to the descendants of the respectable sons of Atreus, blindness, lameness, spavin, and staggers were a recommendation.

From Project Gutenberg

One had spavin--he would take care not to buy a horse that had spavin.

From Project Gutenberg

You don't look as if you'd got a spavin, or a spring halt.

From Project Gutenberg