ZOONOSIS

TileHead’s Word of the Day for 13 December 2011

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ZOONOSIS  (n. pl. ZOONOSES)

Definition(s):

1. (n.) a disease that can be transmitted from animals to human beings

Useful information for game players:

• Front hooks: (none)
• Back hooks: (none)
• Anagrams: (none)
• Longer extensions: (none)
• Wraparounds: (none)
• Other Spellings: (none)
• Related Forms: ZOONOTIC (adj.)

Epilogue:
There are many ZOONOTIC diseases, and among the best-known are malaria, rabies, and Lyme disease.  Diseases such as AIDS and influenza may have originated as ZOONOSES, though they are now typically spread from human-to-human.  The word derives from straightforward Greek elements: zoion (“animal”) and nosos (“disease”).

This week’s theme: Words starting with the letter Z

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