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Glite Dictionary
equine distemper

equine distemper

7.7
A serious disease of horses caused by germs that makes the nose and throat sore and swollen
  • noun
  • /ˈɛkwɪn dɪˈstɛmpər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : distemper equino
  • The stable was quarantined when several horses showed symptoms of equine distemper.

Examples

  • The veterinarian diagnosed the horse with equine distemper after noting its swollen lymph nodes.

  • Prevention of equine distemper includes isolating infected animals and maintaining good stable hygiene.

  • The veterinarian diagnosed the horse with equine distemper.

  • Many horses suffer from equine distemper during the winter months.

  • The veterinarian diagnosed the horse with equine distemper after noting its swollen lymph nodes.

  • The stable was quarantined when several horses showed symptoms of equine distemper.

  • Prevention of equine distemper includes isolating infected animals and maintaining good stable hygiene.

Synonyms

strangles
vsequine distemper
  • Specialized
9.9

A contagious disease in horses that makes throat glands swell

refers to a bacterial infection without naming the exact bacterium

Surface Forms

equine distemper singular
equine distempers plural

Morphology

equine + distemper

The noun phrase is a straightforward modifier–head combination: 'equine' (= relating to horses) specifies the type/host of 'distemper' (= a disease). A B1 learner who knows both words can directly infer it means the disease affecting horses, since adjective + disease constructions are compositionally transparent and common across languages.

Etymology

Equine distemper combines equine (meaning 'horse') and distemper, an old word for a 'serious illness'. Imagine a horse with a high fever and a swollen, runny nose and throat — that literal image is why the term refers to a serious disease of horses today.