rabies

American  

[rey-beez] / ˈreɪ biz /

noun

Pathology.

1. an infectious disease of dogs, cats, and other animals, transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected animal and usually fatal if prophylactic treatment is not administered: caused by an RNA virus of the rhabdovirus group; hydrophobia.

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rabies British  

/ ˈreɪbiːz, ˌreɪbɪˈɛtɪk, ˈræbɪk /

noun

1. Also called: hydrophobia.   lyssa.  pathol an acute infectious viral disease of the nervous system transmitted by the saliva of infected animals, esp dogs. It is characterized by excessive salivation, aversion to water, convulsions, and paralysis

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rabies Scientific  

/ rā′bēz /

1. A usually fatal infectious disease of warm-blooded animals caused by a virus of the genus Lyssavirus that causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. It is transmitted by the bite of an infected animal, such as a dog or bat and can be prevented in humans by a vaccine.

2. See Note at hydrophobia

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rabies Cultural  

1. An acute disease, caused by a virus, which attacks the central nervous system and results in paralysis and death if not treated promptly. Rabies is transmitted to humans by the bite of an animal infected with the disease.

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Other Word Forms

• antirabies adjective
• rabic adjective

Etymology

Origin of rabies

First recorded in 1655–65; from Latin rabiēs “rage, madness,” from rab(ere) “to be mad, rave” + iēs, abstract noun suffix

Explanation

Rabies is a deadly disease that can be spread between mammals through saliva, usually when one animal is bitten by another. If you run into a raccoon foaming at the mouth, don't pet him; he may have rabies. Most dog and cat owners are familiar with rabies, because it's an illness they regularly have their pets vaccinated against. An unvaccinated pet that's bit by an animal with rabies almost always dies — and this is also true for humans who contract rabies and aren't treated. In Latin, rabies means "madness," and this accurately describes some of the symptoms of this terrible disease.

Example Sentences

He had never seen a rabies case before, so had to research the symptoms.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

A coroner is calling for changes to the travel history patients must provide to doctors, following the death of a woman from rabies.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

"I think the doctors did their best," Dr Cartwright said, adding it was "not unreasonable" for rabies to not be considered in the first few days.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

The rabies vaccine was extremely effective and had eliminated the virus from the UK, she said, and administering it after exposure to the virus could help in some circumstances.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

“I think I can feel the rabies coming on,” said Rita.

From "Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures" by Kate DiCamillo