bluetongue

American  

[bloo-tuhng] / ˈbluˌtʌŋ /

noun

Veterinary Pathology.

1. 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.

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bluetongue ¹ British  

/ ˌbluːˈtʌŋ /

noun

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

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bluetongue ² British  

/ ˌbluːˈtʌŋ /

noun

1. 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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Etymology

Origin of bluetongue

First recorded in 1860–65; blue + tongue

Example Sentences

Spread by midges, bluetongue poses no threat to the public or food safety but can affect cloven-hoofed animals like sheep and cattle.

From BBC

Spread by midges, bluetongue poses no threat to the public or food safety but can have serious consequences for cloven-hoofed animals like sheep and cattle.

From BBC

Wales' chief vet Richard Irvine said bluetongue, a virus transmitted by midge bites that affects cattle, sheep and goats, was "a potentially devastating disease".

From BBC

Other issues set to dominate include the ongoing row over changes to inheritance tax rules for farmers, and restrictions to trade along the Welsh border as a result of bluetongue disease.

From BBC

Restrictions brought in to try to prevent the bluetongue virus spreading to livestock in Wales are futile and impractical, farming unions have said.

From BBC