bluetongue
See also: blue-tongue
English
[edit]
Alternative forms
[edit]Etymology
[edit]Noun
[edit]bluetongue (countable and uncountable, plural bluetongues)
- (uncountable) A disease of ruminants, caused by Bluetongue virus of the genus Orbivirus, carried by mosquitos, midges etc. [from 19th c.]
- (countable, Australia) The blue-tongue lizard. [from 19th c.]
- 2004, Nicholas Shakespeare, In Tasmania, Harvill Press, p. 191:
- “I don't worry about snakes, blue-tongues, spiders. All I worry about is the mutton-bird.”
- 2004, Nicholas Shakespeare, In Tasmania, Harvill Press, p. 191:
- (countable, Australia, New Zealand, colloquial) Someone who is as sleepy as a lizard; a lazy person. [from 20th c.]
Synonyms
[edit]- (disease): catarrhal fever
Translations
[edit]disease of ruminants
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