bluetongue

[ bloo-tuhng ]

nounVeterinary Pathology.

a viral disease of sheep and sometimes cattle, transmitted by biting insects and characterized by high fever, excessive salivation, swelling of the face and tongue, and cyanosis of the tongue.

Origin of bluetongue

First recorded in 1860–65; blue + tongue

Also called catarrhal fever.

Words Nearby bluetongue

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

British Dictionary definitions for bluetongue (1 of 2)

bluetongue¹

/ (ˌbluːˈtʌŋ) /

noun

an Australian lizard, Tiliqua scincoides, having a cobalt-blue tongue

British Dictionary definitions for bluetongue (2 of 2)

bluetongue²

/ (ˌbluːˈtʌŋ) /

noun

vet science a viral disease of domestic and wild ruminants transmitted by arthropods and characterized by reproductive problems or vasculitis. Sheep, which are most frequently affected, develop swelling of the face and a cyanotic tongue

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