Definition of anthrax
: an infectious disease of warm-blooded animals (such as cattle and sheep) caused by a spore-forming bacterium (Bacillus anthracis), transmissible to humans especially by the handling of infected products (such as wool), and characterized by cutaneous ulcerating nodules or by often fatal lesions in the lungs; also : the bacterium causing anthrax
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Recent Examples of anthrax from the Web
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Published Defense Intelligence Agency documents have described efforts underway to weaponize at least four pathogens: anthrax, plague, cholera and biological toxins, such as botulinum.
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It was considered but not used during the anthrax attacks in 2001.
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It was considered but not used during the anthrax attacks in 2001.
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The September 11 attacks shake the nation and wake Americans to the threat of terror attacks on a global scale, while fears over anthrax in the mail have Americans on edge.
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Clinics have had acid poured through their mail slots and received anthrax through the mail.
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Former District of Columbia U.S. Attorney Roscoe Howard, who handled the investigation into anthrax attacks after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, is pitching his services with a team featuring two other former federal prosecutors.
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After anthrax spores were found in letters sent to Sens. Patrick Leahy and Thomas Daschle in 2001, Congress began screening all the mail that came into the building.
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Sept. 18, 2001 One week after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, beginning on Sept. 18, letters containing anthrax spores were mailed to news media offices and two Democratic senators, Tom Daschle of South Dakota and Patrick Leahy of Vermont.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anthrax.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of anthrax
Middle English antrax carbuncle, from Latin anthrax, from Greek, coal, carbuncle
ANTHRAX Defined for English Language Learners
anthrax
playDefinition of anthrax for English Language Learners
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: a serious disease that affects animals (such as cattle and sheep) and sometimes people
ANTHRAX Defined for Kids
anthrax
playDefinition of anthrax for Students
: a serious bacterial disease of warm-blooded animals (as sheep) that can affect humans
Medical Dictionary
anthrax
playMedical Definition of anthrax
anthraces
\-thrə-ˌsēz\play: 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 of infected products (as hair), and characterized by cutaneous ulcerating nodules or by often fatal lesions in the lungs; also : the bacterium causing anthrax
Learn More about anthrax
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See words that rhyme with anthrax Britannica English: Translation of anthrax for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anthrax
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