botulism

[ boch-uh-liz-uhm ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a sometimes fatal disease of the nervous system acquired from spoiled foods in which botulin is present, especially improperly canned or marinated foods.

botulism

/ ˈbɒtjʊˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. severe poisoning from ingestion of botulin, which affects the central nervous system producing difficulty in swallowing, visual disturbances, and respiratory paralysis: often fatal

botulism

/ bŏch′ə-lĭz′əm /

1. A severe, sometimes fatal food poisoning caused by eating food infected with the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which produces botulinum toxin. The bacterium grows in food that has been improperly preserved.

botulism

1. A severe form of food poisoning , often fatal if not treated quickly. Botulism is caused by a kind of bacterium that produces a toxin , and it is sometimes present in improperly canned or preserved foods.

Word History and Origins

Origin of botulism¹

1875–80; < German Botulismus, equivalent to Latin botul(us ) sausage (a source of botulin toxin) + -ismus -ism

Word History and Origins

Origin of botulism¹

C19: first formed as German Botulismus literally: sausage poisoning, from Latin botulus sausage

Example Sentences

In fact Botulinum Toxin is a lethal substance that can cause botulism, a life-threatening illness.

From The Daily Beast

Indeed, more than a million doses of botulism antiserum were prepared (PDF) for D-Day soldiers invading Normandy Beach.

From The Daily Beast

Botulism is caused by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, a hardy anaerobe.

From The Daily Beast

To regard every can as a source of botulism is worse than regarding every dog as a source of hydrophobia.

From Project Gutenberg

It should be clearly understood that botulism is one of the very rare maladies.

From Project Gutenberg

Professor Stiles has given a graphic description of his own attack of probable botulism due in all likelihood to minced chicken.

From Project Gutenberg

So far as can be learned the meat that has caused botulism has always come from perfectly sound animals.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus far the best-known examples of poisoning by the products of micro-organisms are botulism and ergotism.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• salmonella