anthrax

American  

[an-thraks] / ˈæn θræks /

noun

Pathology.

anthraces plural

1. an infectious, often fatal disease of cattle, sheep, and other mammals, caused by Bacillus anthracis, transmitted to humans by contaminated wool, raw meat, or other animal products.

2. a malignant carbuncle that is the diagnostic lesion of anthrax disease in humans.

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anthrax British  

/ ˈænθræks /

noun

1. a highly infectious and often fatal disease of herbivores, esp cattle and sheep, characterized by fever, enlarged spleen, and swelling of the throat. Carnivores are relatively resistant. It is caused by the spore-forming bacterium Bacillus anthracis and can be transmitted to man

2. a pustule or other lesion caused by this disease

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anthrax Scientific  

/ ăn′thrăks′ /

1. An infectious, usually fatal disease of mammals, especially cattle and sheep, caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. The disease is transmitted to humans through cutaneous contact, ingestion, or inhalation. Cutaneous anthrax is marked by the formation of a necrotic skin ulcer, high fever, and toxemia. Inhalation anthrax leads to severe pneumonia that is usually fatal.

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anthrax Cultural  

1. An infectious disease transmitted by a bacterium in animals, which can also be transmitted to humans. Often fatal if the bacterium enters the lungs, anthrax is usually treated by antibiotics. Anthrax is a potential weapon in germ warfare and bioterrorism (see also bioterrorism).

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Discover More

After the September 11 attacks (2001) in the United States, anthrax spores sent through the mail caused several fatalities.

If spores are prepared in a sophisticated way, they can stay in the air and be breathed in by human beings. Anthrax produced in this way is referred to as weaponized anthrax.

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• anthraces
  plural

Etymology

Origin of anthrax

1350–1400; Middle English antrax malignant boil or growth < Latin anthrax carbuncle < Greek ánthrax a coal, carbuncle

Example Sentences

The permafrost melted, exposing in the process the frozen carcasses of reindeer who had died an estimated 150 years before thanks to an epidemic of anthrax.

From Salon • Apr. 24, 2025

The exact cause of the poisoning is unknown but tests have confirmed the presence of anthrax.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2025

He addressed issues like anthrax, swine flu and Ebola — each time aiming to quell panic and communicate to the public by telling them what experts know and, perhaps more importantly, what they don’t know.

From Seattle Times • May 19, 2024

But at least in Uganda, many of the presumed cases have resulted in negative tests for anthrax, raising the possibility that a second disease is circulating.

From New York Times • Dec. 19, 2023

By contrast, swine, mainstays of European agriculture, transmit anthrax, brucellosis, leptospirosis, trichinosis, and tuberculosis.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann