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zoonosis

noun
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zoo·​no·​sis | \ zō-ˈä-nə-səs How to pronounce zoonosis (audio) , ˌzō-ə-ˈnō-səs How to pronounce zoonosis (audio) \
plural zoonoses\ zō-​ˈä-​nə-​ˌsēz How to pronounce zoonoses (audio) , ˌzō-​ə-​ˈnō-​ˌsēz \

Definition of zoonosis

: an infection or disease that is transmissible from animals to humans under natural conditions also : an infection or disease that is transmissible between animals and humans bidirectional zoonosis
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Other Words from zoonosis

zoonotic \ ˌzō-​ə-​ˈnä-​tik How to pronounce zoonotic (audio) \ adjective

Examples of zoonosis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Known for his work on preventing zoonoses—diseases spread from wildlife to humans— — National Geographic, "The World Has a Chance to Make the Wild Animal Trade More Humane," 26 Feb. 2016 Most emerging infectious diseases are zoonoses, diseases that originate in animals, and some may have the potential to trigger massive epidemics. — Kai Kupferschmidt, Science | AAAS, "Bats really do harbor more dangerous viruses than other species," 21 June 2017 Dozens of such zoonoses—diseases that can jump from animals to humans—are carried by exotic pets. — National Geographic, "The Dark Side of Trendy Animal Photos," 22 Feb. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'zoonosis.' 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 zoonosis

1873, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for zoonosis

New Latin, from zo- + Greek nosos disease

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Time Traveler for zoonosis

Time Traveler

The first known use of zoonosis was in 1873

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Cite this Entry

“Zoonosis.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zoonosis. Accessed 21 January 2020.

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More Definitions for zoonosis

zoonosis

noun
zoo·​no·​sis | \ ˌzō-ə-ˈnō-səs How to pronounce zoonosis (audio) , zō-ˈän-ə-səs How to pronounce zoonosis (audio) \
plural zoonoses\ -​ˌsēz How to pronounce zoonoses (audio) \

Medical Definition of zoonosis

: an infection or disease that is transmissible from animals to humans under natural conditions also : an infection or disease that is transmissible between animals and humans bidirectional zoonosis

Other Words from zoonosis

zoonotic \ ˌzō-​ə-​ˈnät-​ik How to pronounce zoonotic (audio) \ adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on zoonosis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about zoonosis

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