rabies

noun ra·bies \ˈrā-bēz\

: a very serious and often fatal disease that affects animals (such as dogs) and that can be passed on to people if an infected animal bites them

plural rabies

Full Definition of RABIES

: an acute virus disease of the nervous system of mammals that is caused by a rhabdovirus (species Rabies virus of the genus Lyssavirus) usually transmitted through the bite of a rabid animal and that is characterized typically by increased salivation, abnormal behavior, and eventual paralysis and death when untreated

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Origin of RABIES

New Latin, from Latin, madness, from rabere to rave — more at rage

First Known Use: circa 1598

Rhymes with RABIES

scabies

RABIES Defined for Kids

rabies

noun ra·bies \ˈrā-bēz\

Definition of RABIES for Kids

: a deadly disease of the nervous system that affects animals and can be passed on to people by the bite of an infected animal

Medical Dictionary

rabies

noun ra·bies \ˈrā-bēz\

plural rabies

Medical Definition of RABIES

: an acute virus disease of the nervous system of warm-blooded animals that is caused by a rhabdovirus (species Rabies virus of the genus Lyssavirus) transmitted in infected saliva usually through the bite of a rabid animal and that is characterized typically by increased salivation, abnormal behavior, and eventual paralysis and death when untreated—called also hydrophobia