ciguatera

[ see-gwuh-ter-uh, sig-wuh‑ ]

noun

1. a tropical disease caused by ingesting a poison found in certain marine fishes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ciguatera¹

First recorded in 1860–65; from Latin American Spanish, perhaps from Cuban Spanish cigua, from Taíno “sea slug”

Example Sentences

For this reason ciguatera is almost confined to the tropics.

From Project Gutenberg

The alkaloids produce a disease known as ciguatera, characterized by paralysis and gastric derangements.

From Project Gutenberg

Poisonous bacteria may be destroyed by cooking, but the alkaloids which cause ciguatera are unaltered by heat.

From Project Gutenberg

The true ciguatera is produced by a specific poisonous alkaloid.

From Project Gutenberg

Severe cases of ciguatera with men, as well as with lower animals, may end fatally in a short time.

From Project Gutenberg