rabies

American  

[rey-beez] / ˈreɪ biz /

noun

Pathology.

1. an infectious disease of dogs, cats, and other animals, transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected animal and usually fatal if prophylactic treatment is not administered: caused by an RNA virus of the rhabdovirus group; hydrophobia.

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rabies British  

/ ˈreɪbiːz, ˌreɪbɪˈɛtɪk, ˈræbɪk /

noun

1. Also called: hydrophobia.   lyssa.  pathol an acute infectious viral disease of the nervous system transmitted by the saliva of infected animals, esp dogs. It is characterized by excessive salivation, aversion to water, convulsions, and paralysis

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rabies Scientific  

/ rā′bēz /

1. A usually fatal infectious disease of warm-blooded animals caused by a virus of the genus Lyssavirus that causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. It is transmitted by the bite of an infected animal, such as a dog or bat and can be prevented in humans by a vaccine.

2. See Note at hydrophobia

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rabies Cultural  

1. An acute disease, caused by a virus, which attacks the central nervous system and results in paralysis and death if not treated promptly. Rabies is transmitted to humans by the bite of an animal infected with the disease.

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Other Word Forms

• antirabies adjective
• rabic adjective

Etymology

Origin of rabies

First recorded in 1655–65; from Latin rabiēs “rage, madness,” from rab(ere) “to be mad, rave” + iēs, abstract noun suffix

Example Sentences

Her family were eventually asked about her travel history, and information from her husband Ronald about the dog scratch led doctors to investigate rabies.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

A coroner is calling for changes to the travel history patients must provide to doctors, following the death of a woman from rabies.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

In 100 cases of rabies in America since 2000, half were only diagnosed post-mortem, she said.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

She told the jury of nine women and two men that there had only been 26 cases of rabies in the UK since 1946.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

I explained that my daughter was fine and didn't have to even get a rabies shot—there was no actual bite!

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz