anthrax

[ an-thraks ]

noun,plural an·thra·ces [an-thruh-seez]. /ˈæn θrəˌsiz/. Pathology.
  1. an infectious, often fatal disease of cattle, sheep, and other mammals, caused by Bacillus anthracis, transmitted to humans by contaminated wool, raw meat, or other animal products.

  2. a malignant carbuncle that is the diagnostic lesion of anthrax disease in humans.

Origin of anthrax

1
1350–1400; Middle English antrax malignant boil or growth <Latin anthrax carbuncle <Greek ánthrax a coal, carbuncle

Words Nearby anthrax

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use anthrax in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for anthrax

anthrax

/ (ˈænθræks) /


nounplural -thraces (-θrəˌsiːz)
  1. a highly infectious and often fatal disease of herbivores, esp cattle and sheep, characterized by fever, enlarged spleen, and swelling of the throat. Carnivores are relatively resistant. It is caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis and can be transmitted to man

  2. a pustule or other lesion caused by this disease

Origin of anthrax

1
C19: from Late Latin, from Greek: carbuncle

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for anthrax

anthrax

[ ănthrăks′ ]


  1. An infectious, usually fatal disease of mammals, especially cattle and sheep, caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. The disease is transmitted to humans through cutaneous contact, ingestion, or inhalation. Cutaneous anthrax is marked by the formation of a necrotic skin ulcer, high fever, and toxemia. Inhalation anthrax leads to severe pneumonia that is usually fatal.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for anthrax

anthrax

An infectious disease transmitted by a bacterium in animals, which can also be transmitted to humans. Often fatal if the bacterium enters the lungs, anthrax is usually treated by antibiotics. Anthrax is a potential weapon in germ warfare and bioterrorism (see also bioterrorism).

Notes for anthrax

After the September 11 attacks (2001) in the United States, anthrax spores sent through the mail caused several fatalities.

Notes for anthrax

If spores are prepared in a sophisticated way, they can stay in the air and be breathed in by human beings. Anthrax produced in this way is referred to as weaponized anthrax.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.