rabies

[rey-beez] /ˈreɪ biz/

noun, Pathology

an infectious disease of dogs, cats, and other animals, transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected animal and usually fatal if prophylactic treatment is not administered: caused by an RNA virus of the rhabdovirus group; hydrophobia.

Origin

1655-65; < Latin rabiēs rage, madness, derivative of rabere to be mad, rave

Related forms

rabic

[rab-ik, rey-bik] /ˈræb ɪk, ˈreɪ bɪk/ (Show IPA), adjective

antirabies, adjective, noun

Examples from the web for rabies

Most of them are a couple weeks past due on their rabies vaccine.
Finally, all cubs will have to be vaccinated against rabies before going on view, a shot they must be twelve weeks old to receive.
Vaccinate animals to prevent encephalitis caused by the rabies virus.
The same argument would apply to the film's next dramatic episode, his finding of the toxin anti-toxin to cure rabies.
The health hazards are many: malaria, rabies and cholera among them.
Typical threats are histoplasmosis, rabies, leptospirosis and tick-borne relapsing fever.
Other well-known but uncommon disease requires periodic education and awareness campaigns such as rabies.
The rabies immunization isn't really necessary if you're traveling for a short period of time on business.
Check to make sure your dogs rabies and vaccinations are current.
If you will be in contact with any wildlife a rabies vaccination is highly advisable.

British Dictionary definitions for rabies

rabies

/ˈreɪbiːz/

noun

(pathol) an acute infectious viral disease of the nervous system transmitted by the saliva of infected animals, esp dogs. It is characterized by excessive salivation, aversion to water, convulsions, and paralysis Also called hydrophobia, lyssa

Derived Forms

rabic (ˈræbɪk), rabietic (ˌreɪbɪˈɛtɪk) adjective

Word Origin

C17: from Latin: madness, from rabere to rave

Word Origin and History for rabies

1590s, from Latin rabies "madness, rage, fury," related to rabere "be mad, rave" (see rage (v.)). Sense of "extremely fatal infectious disease causing madness in dogs" was a secondary meaning in Latin. Known hydrophobia in humans.

rabies in Medicine

rabies ra·bies (rā'bēz)
n.
An infectious, highly fatal viral disease of warm blooded animals that attacks the central nervous system; symptoms include excitement, aggressiveness, and dementia, followed by paralysis and death.

ra'bi·et'ic (-ět'ĭk) adj.

rabies in Science

rabies

(rā'bēz)
A usually fatal infectious disease of warm-blooded animals caused by a virus of the genus Lyssavirus that causes inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. It is transmitted by the bite of an infected animal, such as a dog or bat and can be prevented in humans by a vaccine. See Note at hydrophobia.

rabies in Culture

rabies [(ray-beez)]

An acute disease, caused by a virus, which attacks the central nervous system and results in paralysis and death if not treated promptly. Rabies is transmitted to humans by the bite of an animal infected with the disease.