anthrax

UK: ˈænθræks | US: ˈænθræks

Definition

  1. n. A serious infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, affecting both animals and humans.

  2. n. The bacterium Bacillus anthracis itself.

  3. n. Historically, a term for a severe inflammatory condition (archaic usage).

Structure
anthr <coal, black>ax <noun suffix>
Etymology

anthrax = anthr<coal, black> + ax<noun suffix>

  • anthr (from Greek anthrak-, meaning "coal" or "black")
  • ax (a noun-forming suffix, often indicating a condition or substance)

Etymology Origin:
The word anthrax traces back to Greek anthrax (ἄνθραξ), meaning "coal" or "charcoal," referencing the black, coal-like eschar (scab) formed by cutaneous anthrax infections. The disease was historically named for this visual symptom. Over time, the term evolved to specifically denote the bacterial infection caused by Bacillus anthracis.

Examples

  1. Anthrax spores can survive in soil for decades.

  2. Livestock vaccination programs help prevent anthrax outbreaks.

  3. Cutaneous anthrax often starts as a painless sore that turns black.

  4. The 2001 anthrax attacks in the U.S. involved contaminated letters.

  5. Early antibiotic treatment is critical for inhalational anthrax.