oestrus

[ es-truhs, ee-struhs ]

noun

, Zoology.

1. Chiefly British. a variant of estrus.

oestrus

/ ˈɛstrəm; ˈiːstrəm; ˈiːstrəs; ˈɛstrəs /

noun

1. a regularly occurring period of sexual receptivity in most female mammals, except humans, during which ovulation occurs and copulation can take place; heat

Derived Forms

• ˈoestrous, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of oestrus¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; from Latin, from Greek oîstros “gadfly, sting, madness”

Word History and Origins

Origin of oestrus¹

C17: from Latin oestrus gadfly, hence frenzy, from Greek oistros

Example Sentences

An apparent instance of hostility between rival males competing for an oestrus female was observed on September 2, 1950.

From Project Gutenberg

Vaginal smears at this stage often showed nucleated cells characteristic of oestrus.

From Project Gutenberg

Females examined in February mostly were perforate and many of them appeared to be in oestrus.

From Project Gutenberg

Females which had borne and suckled young were first found to be in oestrus 65 to 104 days after birth of the young.

From Project Gutenberg

It is, however, less prominent than in oestrus, and does not gape.

From Project Gutenberg