rabies

American  

[rey-beez] / ˈreɪ biz /

noun

Pathology.

1. an infectious disease of dogs, cats, and other animals, transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected animal and usually fatal if prophylactic treatment is not administered: caused by an RNA virus of the rhabdovirus group; hydrophobia.

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rabies British  

/ ˈreɪbiːz, ˌreɪbɪˈɛtɪk, ˈræbɪk /

noun

1. Also called: hydrophobia.   lyssa.  pathol an acute infectious viral disease of the nervous system transmitted by the saliva of infected animals, esp dogs. It is characterized by excessive salivation, aversion to water, convulsions, and paralysis

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rabies Scientific  

/ rā′bēz /

1. A usually fatal infectious disease of warm-blooded animals caused by a virus of the genus Lyssavirus that causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. It is transmitted by the bite of an infected animal, such as a dog or bat and can be prevented in humans by a vaccine.

2. See Note at hydrophobia

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rabies Cultural  

1. An acute disease, caused by a virus, which attacks the central nervous system and results in paralysis and death if not treated promptly. Rabies is transmitted to humans by the bite of an animal infected with the disease.

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Other Word Forms

• antirabies adjective
• rabic adjective

Etymology

Origin of rabies

First recorded in 1655–65; from Latin rabiēs “rage, madness,” from rab(ere) “to be mad, rave” + iēs, abstract noun suffix

Example Sentences

Illegally imported dogs may also not have been tested for diseases like rabies or brucella canis, which can put animals in the UK, and their owners, at risk.

From BBC

“Bats are vital to our environment, but they can also carry rabies, a disease that is almost always fatal once symptoms appear,” Muntu Davis, Los Angeles County health officer, said in the release.

From Los Angeles Times

"Viruses such as rabies can be incredibly lethal because they take control of many aspects of life inside the cells they infect," Associate Professor Moseley said.

From Science Daily

Bloch said squirrels are not known to carry rabies.

From Los Angeles Times

Harley, who recently turned 1, was already up to date on all his shots — the trip to the vet had been to get the next round, including a rabies booster.

From Los Angeles Times