anthrax

an·thrax   (ān'thrāks')    n.   An infectious, usually fatal disease of warm-blooded animals, especially of cattle and sheep, caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. The disease can be transmitted to humans through contact with contaminated animal substances, such as hair, feces, or hides, and is characterized by ulcerative skin lesions. pl. an·thra·ces (-thrə-sēz') A lesion caused by anthrax. [Middle English antrax, malignant boil, from Latin anthrax, carbuncle, from Greek.]

anthrax

An infectious disease transmitted by a bacterium in animals, which can also be transmitted to humans. Often fatal if the bacterium enters the lungs, anthrax is usually treated by antibiotics. Anthrax is a potential weapon in germ warfare and bioterrorism.

Note: After the September 11 attacks (2001) in the United States, anthrax spores sent through the mail caused several fatalities.

Note: If spores are prepared in a sophisticated way, they can stay in the air and be breathed in by human beings. Anthrax produced in this way is referred to as weaponized anthrax.

anthrax 

Main Entry: an·thrax
Pronunciation: 'an-"thraks
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural an·thra·ces /-thr&-"sEz/
: an infectious disease of warm-blooded animals (as cattle and sheep) caused by a spore-forming bacterium (Bacillus anthracis), transmissible to humans especially by the handling ofinfected products (as hair), and characterized by external ulcerating nodules or by lesions in the lungs

anthrax an·thrax (ān'thrāks')
n.

1. An infectious, usually fatal disease of warm-blooded animals that is characterized by ulcerative skin lesions, can be transmitted to humans, and is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Also called carbuncle.

2. pl. an·thra·ces (-thrə-sēz') A lesion caused by anthrax.

anthrax   (ān'thrāks')  Pronunciation Key  An infectious, usually fatal disease of mammals, especially cattle and sheep, caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. The disease is transmitted to humans through cutaneous contact, ingestion, or inhalation. Cutaneous anthrax is marked by the formation of a necrotic skin ulcer, high fever, and toxemia. Inhalation anthrax leads to severe pneumonia that is usually fatal.