bluetongue

[ bloo-tuhng ]

nounVeterinary 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.

Origin of bluetongue

1
First recorded in 1860–65; blue + tongue

Words Nearby bluetongue

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British Dictionary definitions for bluetongue (1 of 2)

bluetongue1

/ (ˌbluːˈtʌŋ) /


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

British Dictionary definitions for bluetongue (2 of 2)

bluetongue2

/ (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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