murrain

American  

[mur-in] / ˈmɜr ɪn /

noun

1. Veterinary Pathology. any of various diseases of cattle, as anthrax, foot-and-mouth disease, and Texas fever.

2. Obsolete. a plague or pestilence.

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murrain British  

/ ˈmʌrɪn /

noun

1. any plaguelike disease in cattle

2. a plague

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Etymology

Origin of murrain

1300–50; Middle English moreine, moryne < Middle French morine a plague, equivalent to mor ( ir ) to die (≪ Latin morī ) + -ine -ine ²

Explanation

A livestock disease that passes from animal to animal is called a murrain. The distinctive thing about a murrain is that it spreads rapidly. A murrain is an epidemic that's limited to sheep and cattle, though the term is sometimes used to refer generally to a plague or other outbreak of disease. This uncommon noun comes from the Old French word morine, or "pestilence," which is probably rooted in mourir, "to die," from the Latin mori.

Example Sentences

A bobsledder who looked as if he had the fare, Len Murrain of Britain, was questioned about the chances of romance these past two weeks in the Village.

From Time Magazine Archive

Sitting around the conference table in the west wing of his office with him was Murrain, Henry Tarbuck and Jimbo.

From Wild Justice by Sprague, Ruth M.

Gleefully, Murrain reflected, in court, we attorneys can say anything, or most anything, we want to.

From Wild Justice by Sprague, Ruth M.

That sharp lawyer, Simon Murrain, hired by The Pope to advise them on both hearings had been adamant.

From Wild Justice by Sprague, Ruth M.

Murrain caressed his face with his hand as if re-oiling the smile on its surface.

From Wild Justice by Sprague, Ruth M.