noun
rabies
RAY-beez/ˈreɪbiːz/
A usually fatal viral disease affecting the nervous system of mammals.
The diagram connects the ill dog with the virus that causes rabies.
Etymology
Latin rabies meant “madness” or “fury” before also naming the mad-dog disease. English uses this specialized disease meaning of the Latin noun.
In context
A testament to our lack of understanding is the case of a high school girl who survived rabies without vaccination in 2011, challenging the belief of rabies' certain mortality once it reaches the brain.
More examples
- The laboratory tested for rabies.
- The report tracked rabies in wildlife.
- The clinic recorded a possible rabies exposure.
Forms
rabies