ratbite fever

[ rat-bahyt ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. either of two relapsing febrile diseases, widely distributed geographically, caused by infection with Streptobacillus moniliformis or Spirillum minor and transmitted by rats.

ratbite fever

/ ˈrætˌbaɪt /

noun

1. pathol an acute infectious febrile disease caused by the bite of a rat infected with either of two pathogenic bacteria ( Streptobacillus moniliformis or Spirillum minus )

Word History and Origins

Origin of ratbite fever¹

First recorded in 1905–10; rat + bite