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Glite Dictionary
scours

scours

9.6
An illness in young farm animals like calves and piglets that causes diarrhea
  • noun
  • /ˈskaʊərz/
  • Specialized
translation icon : diarrea
  • Calves suffering from scours can become dehydrated quickly.

Examples

  • The farmer lost several calves to scours last winter despite his best efforts.

  • Veterinarians recommend immediate treatment if any signs of scours appear in young animals.

  • Prolonged cases of scours can lead to severe dehydration in piglets.

  • The farmer noticed that several calves had scours.

  • Prolonged cases of scours can lead to severe dehydration in piglets.

  • The farmer lost several calves to scours last winter despite his best efforts.

  • Veterinarians recommend immediate treatment if any signs of scours appear in young animals.

How Severe

scours
  • Specialized
9.6
diarrhea
  • US
81 2.1

Surface Forms

scour singular
scours plural

Etymology

Scours comes from the old verb scour, which meant 'to flow' or 'wash away'—think of strong water scouring soil. So when young animals have the scours, their insides are 'running' and being washed out, which is why the word means severe diarrhea in livestock.