louping ill

[ lou-ping, loh-, loo- ]

noun

, Veterinary Pathology.

1. an acute viral disease of sheep affecting the nervous system, transmitted by a tick.

louping ill

/ ˈləʊ-; ˈlaʊpɪŋ /

noun

1. a viral disease of sheep causing muscular twitching and partial paralysis: transmitted by the bite of an infected tick ( Ixodes ricinus )

Word History and Origins

Origin of louping ill¹

First recorded in 1810–20; loup ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of louping ill¹

C18 louping, from loup ²

Example Sentences

But gamekeepers may cull the animals in an effort to protect red grouse from the tick-borne louping ill virus.

From BBC

Thus he is compelled to admit under "Diseases of the head" Scabs on the mouth side by side with Sturdy, and Louping ill: in this way mingling affections of the skin with diseases of totally different organs—the brain and spinal marrow—and causing much embarassment to the reader.

From Project Gutenberg