deer tick

noun

Updated on: 17 May 2018

Definition of deer tick

: an ixodid tick (Ixodes scapularis synonym I. dammini) of the eastern U.S. and Canada that transmits the bacterium causing Lyme disease — called also black-legged tick

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Recent Examples of deer tick from the Web

In Illinois, the lone star tick, the American dog tick and the deer tick carry the bacteria that causes ehrlichiosis. 5.

— elyssa cherney, chicagotribune.com, "Bug-bite diseases are on the rise nationwide: What to watch out for in Illinois," 4 May 2018
That's a problem, because like the deer ticks that spread Lyme disease, East Asian ticks have been known to spread a deadly virus called SFTS, which stands for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome.

— CBS News, "East Asian tick species arrives in New Jersey, could carry dangerous virus," 24 Apr. 2018
That disease is the Powassan virus, which is transmitted by deer ticks just like Lyme disease.

— megan friedman, Country Living, "A Rare Virus That's Worse Than Lyme Disease Is Being Spread by Ticks," 2 May 2017
Also, a deer tick was discovered last fall on the clothing of a volunteer who was working in the woods; ticks can carry bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

— ann zaniewski, Detroit Free Press, "15 deer killed in first two days of cull at U-M Dearborn; hunt resumes Wednesday," 26 Feb. 2018
As temperatures increase, the deer tick population may expand to Alaska as well.

— tegan hanlon, Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska releases first detailed report on negative health impacts of climate change," 9 Jan. 2018
The Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks placed 4-poster feeds in four parks in Columbia, Ellicott City and Elkridge to combat deer ticks.

— andrew michaels, Howard County Times, "Deer self-eradicate ticks with new feeders in county parks," 20 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deer tick.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of deer tick

1982

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DEER TICK Defined for English Language Learners

deer tick

noun

Definition of deer tick for English Language Learners

: a very small insect found in the eastern U.S. and in Canada that usually feeds on deer and that can give the person or animal it bites various diseases (such as Lyme disease)

Medical Dictionary

deer tick

noun \ ˈdi(ə)r- \

medical Definition of deer tick

: a tick of the genus Ixodes (I. scapularis synonym I. dammini) that transmits the bacterium causing Lyme disease

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