epizootic
Language: English
Part of speech: noun
Pronunciation: ipa: /ɛpɪ.zəˈwɒtɪk/
ipa: /ɛpɪ.zoʊˈɒtɪk/
note: in the sense ‘an ailment’
ipa: /ɛpɪˈzuːdɪk/
Forms: form: epizootics
form: epizoötic
form: epizoodic
form: epizudic
Etymology: From French épizootique, animal equivalent of epidemic, from épizootie, irregularly formed from Ancient Greek ἐπί (epí) + ζῷον (zōîon, “animal”).
By surface analysis, epi- + zo- + -otic. Use of the word in the second sense, "an ailment", was likely originally a reference to a particular epizootic ailment. Both senses are attested since at least the 1800s, and the pronunciation with five syllables is explicitly attested since then as well. Dialectal pronunciation of the second sense with four syllables is attested since at least the 1910s in spellings like "epizudic" and is suggested by 1870s references to a shortened form of the word, "zooty".
Senses: examples: text: At the same time as an epidemic of the flu broke out among the people, an epizootic of the swine flu broke out among their pigs.
text: […]but it can be asserted with confidence that Natal will for some years yet be free from the possibility of an invasion of the disease to the same degree as the epizootic of 1896 and 1897.
ref: 1901 July 5, H. Watkins-Pitchford, “The Umvoti Outbreak”, in The Agricultural Journal and Mining Record, volume 4, number 9, page 247:
topics: epidemiology
medicine
sciences
coordinate_terms: word: enzootic#Noun
word: panzootic#Noun
word: ;
english: humans
translation: humans
word: endemic#Noun
word: epidemic#Noun
word: pandemic#Noun
english: plants
translation: plants
word: enphytotic#Noun
word: epiphytotic#Noun
glosses: An occurrence of a disease or disorder in a population of non-human animals at a frequency higher than that expected in a given time period.
examples: text: A surgeon in the town has also informed me, that a person requested him to prescribe for some lambs affected with the epizootic, and he gave them Epsom salts and opium, with, as he said, very good effect.
ref: 1856, On the epizootic lately affecting lambs, in The Veterinarian; or Monthly Journal of Veterinary Science for 1856, volume XXIX-II, fourth series, edited by Morton and Simonds, page 450
glosses: A particular epizootic disease.
examples: text: Johnny's not doing so well today, I think he caught the epizootic.
text: Last fall, when Dad had the Epizootic; no, I don't mean that, tho I did think he had em, but when the Chicargar hosses got the Epizootic, Dad got all fired mad caus that xpressman didn't cum round to move the rest of our traps.
ref: 1873, Jeramiah Juniur Blows His Bugle, in Gem of the West and Soldiers' Friend, seventh year, January 1873, page 378
text: Never do I have colds — but I got the epizootics(?) and sneezed my head off — twenty three times yesterday.
ref: 1977, Samuel M. Steward, editor, Dear Sammy: Letters from Getrude Stein and Alice Toklas, page 237:
text: "My Laws, Minnie! She's got spots! I guess you've got the epizootics."
ref: 1986, Geneva Bair Wilson, As the Anvil Rings, page 78:
text: Then along comes somebody else who says you've got epizootic and he can cure epizootic and he doesn't have to cut out the epi.
ref: 1998, David Pietrusza, Judge and Jury, the life and times of Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis, page 348:
glosses: A disease or ailment (of humans).