rabies

ra·bies

noun \ˈrā-bēz\

plural rabies

Definition of RABIES

: an acute virus disease of the nervous system of mammals that is caused by a rhabdovirus (species Rabies virus of the genus Lyssavirus) usually transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal and that is characterized typically by increased salivation, abnormal behavior, and eventual paralysis and death when untreated

Origin of RABIES

New Latin, from Latin, madness, from rabere to rave — more at rage

First Known Use: circa 1598

Rhymes with RABIES

scabies