estrus

es·trus also oes·trus  (strs)

n.

The periodic state of sexual excitement in the female of most mammals, excluding humans, that immediately precedes ovulation and during which the female is most receptive to mating; heat.

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[New Latin, from Latin oestrus, frenzy, gadfly, from Greek oistros; see eis- in Indo-European roots.]

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estrus  (strs)

A regularly recurring period in female mammals other than humans during which the animal is sexually receptive. Estrus occurs around the time of ovulation. Also called heat.

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estrus, oestrus

the condition of being in rut or sexual arousal, applied particularly to the female. Also spelled estrum, oestrum. — estrous, oestrous, adj.

See also: Animals

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the condition of being in rut or sexual arousal, applied particularly to the female. Also called est rum, oestrum. — estrous, oestrous, adj.

See also: Sex

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

estrus - applies to nonhuman mammals: a state or period of heightened sexual arousal and activity oestrus, rut, heat physical condition, physiological condition, physiological state - the condition or state of the body or bodily functions anestrum, anestrus, anoestrum, anoestrus - applies to nonhuman mammals: a state or interval of sexual inactivity between two periods of estrus