anthraces

anthraces

A doctor examines a patient's skin showing anthraces.

Definition

Anthraces is the plural form of the noun anthrax.

  1. Noun (plural of ):
    • A serious infectious disease: "anthrax" refers to a severe bacterial disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, primarily affecting livestock but also transmissible to humans, often through contact with infected animals or their products.
    • A boil or carbuncle: In medical contexts, "anthrax" (plural "anthraces") can also denote a cluster of boils or a severe skin infection characterized by a hard, painful, black-centered sore (a malignant pustule).
Usage Examples
  • As disease:
    • The outbreak of anthraces in the cattle herd was quickly contained. (Plural reference to multiple cases of the disease anthrax.)
  • As skin lesion:
    • The doctor diagnosed several anthraces on the patient's arm, each resembling a large, dark boil. (Multiple carbuncles or malignant pustules.)
Advanced Usage
  • "Cutaneous anthraces": a specific form of anthrax affecting the skin, marked by an eschar (black scab) and swelling.
    • Cutaneous anthraces are the most common form of the disease, often resulting from handling infected animal hides. (Skin-based infections.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Anthrax (n, singular): the base form.
    • Anthrax is a notifiable disease in many countries. (The disease itself.)
  • Anthracic (adj): relating to or affected by anthrax.
    • The anthracic lesions required immediate medical attention. (Lesions caused by anthrax.)
Synonyms
  • Carbuncle: a severe, deep-seated skin infection similar to an anthrax boil.
  • Malignant pustule: a historical term for the skin lesion caused by anthrax.
Related Idioms
  • None commonly associated with "anthraces" as it is a technical medical term.