cowpox

[ kou-poks ]

noun

, Veterinary Pathology.

1. an eruptive disease appearing on the teats and udders of cows, cow, in which small pustules form that contain a virus used in the vaccination of humans against smallpox.

cowpox

/ ˈkaʊˌpɒks /

noun

1. a contagious viral disease of cows characterized by vesicles on the skin, esp on the teats and udder. Inoculation of humans with this virus provides temporary immunity to smallpox. It can be transmitted to other species, esp cats

Word History and Origins

Origin of cowpox¹

First recorded in 1790–1800; cow ¹ + pox

Example Sentences

Monkeypox is a poxvirus in the same family as variola – the virus that causes smallpox – and cowpox viruses and likely evolved in animals before jumping to humans.

From Scientific American

This subset includes the smallpox, vaccinia and cowpox viruses.

From Scientific American

Edward Jenner, an English doctor, then figured out that exposing people to cowpox, a much more mild disease, could stave off smallpox.

From Washington Times

Essentially, the backbone of this vaccine is identical to one routinely used to immunise elephants against a virus called cowpox.

From BBC

The first known use stretches back to 1882 but references pop up earlier related to fluid from cowpox pustules used in inoculations, Sokolowski said.

From Fox News