columnaris disease

noun

variants or less commonly columnaris

ˌkäləmˈna(a)rə̇s

plural -es

: a highly fatal disease of fingerling trout and salmon especially when concentrated in hatchery ponds that is caused by a myxobacterium (Chondrococcus columnaris)

Word History

Etymology

New Latin columnaris, specific epithet of Chondrococcus columnaris, species causing the disease, from Late Latin, columnar

Cite this Entry

Style

“Columnaris disease.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/columnaris%20disease. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Copy Citation