strangles

noun

stran·​gles ˈstraŋ-gəlz How to pronounce strangles (audio)
plural in form but singular or plural in construction
: an infectious febrile disease of horses caused by a streptococcus (Streptococcus equi) and marked especially by inflammation and congestion of mucous membranes of the respiratory tract

Examples of strangles in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The plant is harmless to people but strangles landscapes with overgrowth strong enough to uproot trees, decreasing overall biodiversity in forests. Mallory Arnold, Outside Online, 21 Sep. 2022 The weight of what’s left unsaid strangles interactions. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 May 2022 Since strangles is easily transmitted between horses, vaccination is an important tool for minimizing the spread of this disease. Texas A&m University, Houston Chronicle, 20 June 2020

Word History

Etymology

plural of obsolete strangle act of strangling

First Known Use

circa 1706, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of strangles was circa 1706

Dictionary Entries Near strangles

Cite this Entry

“Strangles.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strangles. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

strangles

noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction
stran·​gles -gəlz How to pronounce strangles (audio)
: an infectious febrile disease of horses and other equines that is caused by a bacterium of the genus Streptococcus (S. equi), is characterized by inflammation and congestion of mucous membranes and a tendency to swelling and suppuration of the intermaxillary and cervical lymph nodes, usually affects young animals, has a low mortality rate, and confers subsequent immunity after one attack
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