surra

American  

[soor-uh] / ˈsʊər ə /

noun

Veterinary Pathology.

1. an often fatal infectious disease of horses, camels, elephants, and dogs caused by a blood-infecting protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma evansi, transmitted by the bite of horseflies, characterized by fever, anemia, and emaciation.

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surra British  

/ ˈsʊərə /

noun

1. a tropical febrile disease of cattle, horses, camels, and dogs, characterized by severe emaciation: caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma evansi and transmitted by fleas

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Etymology

Origin of surra

First recorded in 1885–90, surra is from the Marathi word sūra heavy breathing sound

Example Sentences

Before the power of the Sherifs was broken by the chief Sherif Serour, the former extorted from every caravan that came to Mekka considerable sums, besides the surra to which they were entitled.

From Travels in Arabia; comprehending an account of those territories in Hedjaz which the Mohammedans regard as sacred by Burckhardt, John Lewis

Oh, surra bit o' me knows a word she's sayin', though it's mighty like the Irish of a Connaught man.

From Cedar Creek From the Shanty to the Settlement by Walshe, Elizabeth Hely

The Hadj caravans now ceased; few pilgrims arrived by way of Yembo; Saoud, soon after, prohibited the passage to the town to all Turkish pilgrims; and the surra or stipends were of course withheld.

From Travels in Arabia; comprehending an account of those territories in Hedjaz which the Mohammedans regard as sacred by Burckhardt, John Lewis

A heavy silence fell upon the plaza, punctuated only by the raucous breathing of a big American cavalry-horse, dying of the surra by the cuartel.

From Caybigan by Hopper, James

He likewise fixed the surra from Constantinople, or, as it is called, the Greek surra, at thirty-one thousand ducats per annum.

From Travels in Arabia; comprehending an account of those territories in Hedjaz which the Mohammedans regard as sacred by Burckhardt, John Lewis