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

Explanation

Rabies is a deadly disease that can be spread between mammals through saliva, usually when one animal is bitten by another. If you run into a raccoon foaming at the mouth, don't pet him; he may have rabies. Most dog and cat owners are familiar with rabies, because it's an illness they regularly have their pets vaccinated against. An unvaccinated pet that's bit by an animal with rabies almost always dies — and this is also true for humans who contract rabies and aren't treated. In Latin, rabies means "madness," and this accurately describes some of the symptoms of this terrible disease.

Example Sentences

Travelling with animals abroad is even more difficult because they need paperwork, for instance showing that they have been inoculated against rabies.

From BBC • Apr. 25, 2026

He had never seen a rabies case before, so had to research the symptoms.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

A coroner is calling for changes to the travel history patients must provide to doctors, following the death of a woman from rabies.

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

He said he had never come across anyone with rabies before so researched the symptoms further, and it "became clear" the diagnosis would explain her condition.

From BBC • Mar. 3, 2026

If that girl don’t get the duck rabies, she’s for sure gonna get duck lice.

From "Girls Like Us" by Gail Giles