estrus

[ es-truhs ]

nounZoology.
  1. the period of heat or rut; the period of maximum sexual receptivity of a female mammal.

Origin of estrus

1
First recorded in 1885–90; from Latin oestrus oestrus
  • Also especially British, oestrus .
  • Rarely es·trum [es-truhm]. /ˈɛs trəm/.

Other words from estrus

  • es·trous, adjective

Words Nearby estrus

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British Dictionary definitions for estrus

estrus

/ (ˈɛstrəs, ˈiːstrəs) /


noun
  1. the usual US spelling of oestrus

Derived forms of estrus

  • estrous, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for estrus

estrus

[ ĕstrəs ]


  1. A regularly recurring period in female mammals other than humans during which the animal is sexually receptive. Estrus occurs around the time of ovulation. Also called heat

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