anthrax

noun an·thrax \ ˈan-ˌthraks \

|Updated on: 19 Jul 2018

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

Integral to the ecosystem, the species can eat the diseased remains of animals that might otherwise carry sicknesses, such as hog cholera or anthrax bacteria.

— jordyn hermani, Indianapolis Star, "Black vultures are eating cows alive. But it's difficult to legally kill the birds.," 13 July 2018
Calmette, who was a protégé of Louis Pasteur, applied the same techniques his mentor was using to produce vaccines for rabies and anthrax.

— kyle dickman, Outside Online, "A Rattle with Death in Yosemite," 20 June 2018
The Bush administration came under pressure to consider that move with the anti-anthrax treatment Cipro in 2001, but drug maker Bayer decided to voluntarily reduce its price instead.

— john fritze, USA TODAY, "Trump to deliver major address on drug prices, but advocates predict small steps," 4 May 2018
Additional products under development include two anthrax vaccines and biological equivalents to two drugs.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Pfenex raises $39.4M for osteoporosis drug," 29 May 2018
Caitlin Cossaboom, of the Epidemic Intelligence Service class of 2017, collects a nasal swab of a Cape buffalo during an anthrax outbreak investigation in Namibia.

— betsy mckay, WSJ, "The Weirdest Job Fair Pitch: ‘Ask Me About Brain-Eating Amebas’," 16 May 2018
When warmed, the carcasses release anthrax spores, which readily reactivate into infectious bacteria.

— bridget alex, Discover Magazine, "Something Stirs: What Will Happen as Permafrost Thaws?," 15 May 2018
Some researchers have suggested that the symptoms and rate of transmission described in historical accounts actually match anthrax, or possibly a hemorrhagic fever like Ebola or Lassa, better than Y. pestis.

— kiona n. smith, Ars Technica, "4,000-year-old genomes point to origins of bubonic plague," 12 June 2018
A week after 9/11, a number of U.S. lawmakers and journalists were sent anthrax spores via the mail.

— simon r. gardner, The Atlantic, "98 Years of Mail Fraud," 4 May 2018

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

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First Known Use: 1861

in the meaning defined above

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ANTHRAX Defined for English Language Learners

anthrax

noun

Definition of anthrax for English Language Learners

: a serious disease that affects animals (such as cattle and sheep) and sometimes people

ANTHRAX Defined for Kids

anthrax

noun an·thrax \ ˈan-ˌthraks \

Definition of anthrax for Students

: a serious bacterial disease of warm-blooded animals (as sheep) that can affect humans

Medical Dictionary

anthrax

noun an·thrax \ ˈan-ˌthraks \

medical Definition of anthrax

plural anthraces play \-thrə-ˌsēz\

: 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