myxomatosis

American  

[mik-suh-muh-toh-sis] / ˌmɪk sə məˈtoʊ sɪs /

noun

1. Pathology.

   1. a condition characterized by the presence of many myxomas.

   2. myxomatous degeneration.

2. Veterinary Pathology. a highly infectious viral disease of rabbits, artificially introduced into Great Britain and Australia to reduce the rabbit population.

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myxomatosis British  

/ ˌmɪksəməˈtəʊsɪs /

noun

1. an infectious and usually fatal viral disease of rabbits characterized by swelling of the mucous membranes and formation of skin tumours; transmitted by flea bites

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Etymology

Origin of myxomatosis

1925–30; < New Latin myxomat- (stem of myxoma; see myx-, -oma) + -osis

Example Sentences

This gruesome disease came to be known as myxomatosis.

From New York Times • Jun. 20, 2022

Many infected rabbits display a strange form of myxomatosis, developing massive swellings on their eyes and ears.

From New York Times • Jun. 20, 2022

Peter Rabbit, older and stouter, is involved, and fans will be relieved to learn that there are no Atticus-Finch-like revelations—no blights of myxomatosis, no catastrophic burrowing incidents—about the later years of this beloved character.

From The New Yorker • Feb. 1, 2016

In 1987 the play's creator James Dearden morphed the story into Fatal Attraction, a film which made box-office history and did more damage to rabbits than myxomatosis.

From The Guardian • Jun. 18, 2014

He had coolly—some even said coldly—stood firm during the terrible onslaught of the myxomatosis, ruthlessly driving out every rabbit who seemed to be sickening.

From "Watership Down: A Novel" by Richard Adams