staggers

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The word "staggers" can be understood in a couple of different ways, but in the context you provided, it primarily refers to a specific disease that affects animals, particularly horses and cattle. Let’s break it down:

Basic Definition:

Staggers (noun): A disease that affects the central nervous system of animals, especially horses and cattle. It causes them to sway unsteadily and often fall down.

Usage Instructions:

• You would typically use "staggers" when talking about animals, especially in a veterinary or farming context.
• It is not commonly used in everyday conversation about humans.

Example:

• "The farmer noticed that his horse was showing signs of staggers, as it was swaying and had difficulty standing."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced contexts, you might discuss the causes or the treatment of staggers, such as: - "Staggers in horses can be caused by various factors, including environmental toxins or nutritional deficiencies."

Word Variants:

• There are no direct variants of the word "staggers," but it is often used in the plural form because it refers to the condition in multiple animals or in general.

Different Meanings:

While "staggers" primarily refers to the disease in animals, in informal English, "to stagger" can also mean to walk unsteadily or to be overwhelmed. Here are some different meanings: - Stagger (verb): To walk or move unsteadily, as if about to fall. - Example: "After spinning around, she staggered and had to hold onto the wall."

Synonyms:

For the disease context, there aren’t exact synonyms in common use, but related terms might include: - Nervous disorder (in a general sense). - In a different context (like the verb), synonyms for "stagger" might include: - Totter - Sway - Wobble

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to "staggers" in the context of the disease. However, in a more general sense, you might hear phrases like:
  • "Stagger through" (meaning to continue despite difficulties).
  • "Staggering amount" (when referring to something surprising or overwhelming).

Summary:

In summary, "staggers" is a term you would use when discussing a specific condition that affects the movement of horses and cattle.

Academic

Noun

1. a disease of the central nervous system affecting especially horses and cattle; characterized by an unsteady swaying gait and frequent falling

Synonyms

• blind staggers