piblokto
English
[edit]Alternative forms
[edit]Etymology
[edit]Borrowed from an Inuktitut word such as *pivliRuRtuq "is mad, has hysteria or fever".
Pronunciation
[edit]Noun
[edit]piblokto (uncountable)
- A condition affecting dogs or other animals in the Arctic, characterized by aggressive behavior and seizures.
- 1884, D. B. MacMillan, The Shield: official publication of the Theta Delta Chi Fraternity, Volume 27: With Peary in the Arctic, page 19:
- A piblockto dog gave us considerable trouble today; yelping and barking he repeatedly changed out of the darkness, biting right and left, throwing the different teams into utter confusion.
- A condition affecting the Inuit peoples in winter, characterized by a period of frenzied activity or irrational behavior, followed by unconsciousness or stupor.