epizootic

Etymology
From, animal equivalent of epidemic, from , irregularly formed from +. . 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".

Noun

 * 1)  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. Compare epidemic.
 * 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.
 * 1) A particular epizootic disease.
 * 2) * 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:
 * 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.
 * 1)  A disease or ailment (of humans).
 * Johnny's not doing so well today, I think he caught the epizootic.
 * 1) * 1873, Jeramiah Juniur Blows His Bugle, in Gem of the West and Soldiers' Friend, seventh year, January 1873, page 378:
 * 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.
 * 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.

Usage notes
Used in the second sense to mean "an ailment", it is often preceded by the definite article ("the epizootic"), is often plural in form ("the epizootics"), and is sometimes written "(the) epizoodic".

Do not confuse epizootic (epi- + zoo- + -otic) with or  (epi- + zoo- + -ic).

Adjective

 * 1)  Like or having to do with an epizootic: epidemic among animals.
 * Epizootic plague occurred in the mice following introduction of rats from Europe.
 * 1) * 1919 March 19, author not named, The Mud Larks, in Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 156, 2004 Gutenberg edition,
 * I handed it back to him, explaining that he had come to the wrong shop--unless he were a horse, of course. If he were and could provide his own nosebag, head-stall and Army Form 1640, testifying that he was guiltless of mange, ophthalmia or epizootic lymphangitis, I would do what I could for him.
 * 1)  Containing fossils.
 * 2) Relating to epizoa; epizoic.
 * 1)  Containing fossils.
 * 2) Relating to epizoa; epizoic.
 * 1) Relating to epizoa; epizoic.
 * 1) Relating to epizoa; epizoic.

Derived terms

 * antiepizootic
 * epizootic hemorrhagic disease

Etymology
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