estrus
Americannoun
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the period of heat or rut; the period of maximum sexual receptivity of a female mammal.
noun
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A regularly recurring period in female mammals other than humans during which the animal is sexually receptive. Estrus occurs around the time of ovulation.
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Also called heat
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of estrus
First recorded in 1885–90; from Latin oestrus oestrus
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While it’s well established that lengthening daylight triggers a cat’s estrus, the effect of rising temperatures on kitten season isn’t yet understood.
From Salon ● Mar. 19, 2024
Otter moms will often go immediately into estrus if they lose a pup.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 2023
Females of these species mate only during the estrus phase of the cycle.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
Female pandas are in estrus for only 24 to 72 hours each year and also can have false pregnancies.
From Washington Post ● Aug. 21, 2019
Even mainstream trainers would drop pennies in mares’ water buckets to halt estrus, or exhaust themselves trying to get a mane that fell to the left—a bad omen—to fall to the right.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
