murrain

[ mur-in ]

noun

1. Veterinary Pathology. any of various diseases of cattle, as anthrax, foot-and-mouth disease, and Texas fever.
2. Obsolete. a plague or pestilence.

murrain

/ ˈmʌrɪn /

noun

1. any plaguelike disease in cattle
2. a plague

Word History and Origins

Origin of murrain¹

1300–50; Middle English moreine, moryne < Middle French morine a plague, equivalent to mor ( ir ) to die (≪ Latin morī ) + -ine -ine ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of murrain¹

C14: from Old French morine, from morir to die, from Latin morī

Example Sentences

We are told that a murrain appeared among the cattle, without any preliminary step.

From Project Gutenberg

It is said by Whewell, that the murrain is supposed to have fallen only on the animals which were in the open pasture.

From Project Gutenberg

Virgil in the third Georgic speaks of a murrain among cattle.

From Project Gutenberg

When ye saw me here, so strangely seated, where I have neither right nor interest, what a murrain!

From Project Gutenberg

A murrain of cattle followed, and the poor were dying of hunger and pestilence.

From Project Gutenberg