SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

strangles

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction stran·gles \ ˈstraŋ-gəlz \

Definition of strangles

: an infectious febrile disease of horses caused by a streptococcus (Streptococcus equi) and marked especially by inflammation and congestion of mucous membranes of the respiratory tract

Origin and Etymology of strangles

plural of obsolete strangle act of strangling

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1706

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

strangles

noun plural but singular or plural in construction stran·gles \ -gəlz \

medical Definition of strangles

: an infectious febrile disease of horses and other equines that is caused by a bacterium of the genus Streptococcus (S. equi), is characterized by inflammation and congestion of mucous membranes and a tendency to swelling and suppuration of the intermaxillary and cervical lymph nodes, usually affects young animals, has a low mortality rate, and confers subsequent immunity after one attack

Learn More about strangles

Nglish: Translation of strangles for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of strangles for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about strangles

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up strangles? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

headlong

play

without deliberation, pause, or delay

BROWSE DICTIONARY

strangler fig

strangler tree

strangles

strangletare

strangleweed

Test Your Vocabulary

More Confusing Words—Quiz

The magician ______ moved the selected card to the top of the deck.

discreetly discretely

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

alt-5ad77fad37d22

What the #@*% Is a ‘Grawlix?’

We can thank Beetle Bailey.

alt-5ad76a1542e73

'Altho' vs. 'Although'

Altho doesn't get much love.

alt-5ad635a571736

A Brief History of 'Potshot'

Duck, or you might be dinner

alt-5ad5fb45b0494

What Is a 'Thirst Trap'?

A tall drink of water

Ask the Editors

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes

How we chose 'feminism'

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

video-literally

Literally

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

video-his-or-her

Is Singular 'They' a Better Choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'

Word Games

cats-on-impossible-timber

More Confusing Words—Quiz

How many of these commonly confused words do you know?

Take the quiz

name-that-thing-toys-and-games-edition

Name that Thing: Toys and Games Edition

It's all fun and games until someone beats your high score.

Take the quiz

Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Take the quiz

Bee Cubed

Listen to the words and spell through all three levels.

Play the game