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