stran·gles
(străng′gəlz)pl.n. (used with a sing. verb) An infectious disease of horses and related animals, caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equi and characterized by inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane and abscesses under the jaw and around the throat that cause a strangling or choking sensation.
[From Middle English strangle, strangulation, from stranglen, to strangle; see strangle.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
strangles
(ˈstræŋɡəlz) n (Veterinary Science) (functioning as singular) an acute bacterial disease of horses caused by infection with Streptococcus equi, characterized by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, resulting in abscesses and a nasal discharge. Also called: equine distemper
[C18: from strangle]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
dis•tem•per1
(dɪsˈtɛm pər)
n. 1. a. Also called
canine distemper. an infectious disease chiefly of young dogs, caused by an unidentified virus and characterized by lethargy, fever, catarrh, photophobia, and vomiting.
b. Also called
strangles. an infectious disease of horses, caused by the bacillus
Streptococcus equi and characterized by catarrh of the upper air passages and the formation of pus in the submaxillary and other lymphatic glands.
c. Also called
feline distemper. a usu. fatal viral disease of cats, characterized by fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, leading to severe dehydration.
2. a deranged condition of mind or body; a disorder or disease: a feverish distemper.
3. disorder or disturbance, esp. of a political nature.
v.t. 4. Obs. to derange physically or mentally.
[1300–50; Middle English (< Middle French
destemprer) < Medieval Latin
distemperāre= Latin
dis- dis-
1 +
temperāre to
temper]
dis•tem•per2
(dɪsˈtɛm pər)
n. 1. a technique of decorative painting in which glue or gum is used as a binder or medium to achieve a mat surface and rapid drying.
2. a painting executed by this method.
v.t. 3. to paint in distemper.
[1350–1400; Middle English (< Anglo-French distemprer) < Medieval Latin distemperāre to dissolve, dilute]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.