louping ill

American  

[lou-ping, loh-, loo-] / ˈlaʊ pɪŋ, ˈloʊ-, ˈlu- /

noun

Veterinary Pathology.

1. an acute viral disease of sheep affecting the nervous system, transmitted by a tick.

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louping ill British  

/ ˈləʊ-, ˈlaʊpɪŋ /

noun

1. a viral disease of sheep causing muscular twitching and partial paralysis: transmitted by the bite of an infected tick ( Ixodes ricinus )

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Etymology

Origin of louping ill

First recorded in 1810–20; see origin at loup ²

Example Sentences

But gamekeepers may cull the animals in an effort to protect red grouse from the tick-borne louping ill virus.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2015