bluetongue

blue·tongue

noun \ˈblü-ˌtəŋ\

Definition of BLUETONGUE

: a noncontagious virus disease especially of sheep that is caused by a reovirus of the genus Orbivirus (species Bluetongue virus) transmitted by biting flies of the genus Culicoides and that is characterized by hyperemia and cyanosis and by swelling and sloughing of the mucous membranes especially about the mouth and tongue—called also soremuzzle