aphthous fever: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical (Veterinary/Historical)
Quick answer
What does “aphthous fever” mean?
A highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, especially cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats, characterized by fever and the formation of vesicles (blisters) in the mouth and on the feet.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, especially cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats, characterized by fever and the formation of vesicles (blisters) in the mouth and on the feet.
The term is a formal and now largely archaic synonym for foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). It was historically used in medical and agricultural contexts to describe the condition, referencing the aphthae (small ulcers) that are a primary symptom. It may still be encountered in older scientific literature or historical accounts of veterinary medicine.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant dialectal difference in usage, as the term is technical and obsolete in both varieties. The modern term 'foot-and-mouth disease' is standard in both UK and US veterinary contexts.
Connotations
Both varieties perceive it as a highly formal, historical, or archaic term. It may evoke a sense of past scientific discourse.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties. More likely to be found in historical texts or specialized academic history of medicine than in contemporary speech or writing.
Grammar
How to Use “aphthous fever” in a Sentence
An outbreak of [aphthous fever] occurred.The herd was quarantined for [aphthous fever].[Aphthous fever] is caused by a picornavirus.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “aphthous fever” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The aphthous fever outbreak of 1967 was devastating.
- Aphthous fever symptoms are unmistakable.
American English
- The 1924 aphthous fever epidemic led to new laws.
- Aphthous fever research was pivotal in virology.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used. Might appear in a historical case study about agricultural trade impacts.
Academic
Used only in historical or philological studies of veterinary/medical terminology.
Everyday
Never used. The common term is 'foot-and-mouth disease'.
Technical
Obsolete technical term. Modern technical documents use 'foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “aphthous fever”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “aphthous fever”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “aphthous fever”
- Misspelling as 'apthous' or 'aphthus'.
- Using it in a modern context instead of 'foot-and-mouth disease'.
- Applying it to human diseases.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are completely different. Aphthous fever (foot-and-mouth disease) affects cloven-hoofed animals and is not transmissible to humans under normal circumstances. Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common, mild viral illness in children caused by a different virus (usually Coxsackievirus).
It has been superseded by the more descriptively accurate and internationally standard term 'foot-and-mouth disease' (FMD), which clearly indicates the primary sites of the characteristic lesions.
Extremely rarely, and not in a clinically significant way. The virus that causes foot-and-mouth disease (apthous fever) is not a human pathogen. Very rare, isolated human infections have been reported but are asymptomatic or involve extremely mild symptoms without the classic vesicles.
The word 'aphthous' comes from the Greek for 'ulcer'. It refers to the small, painful blisters or ulcers (aphthae) that form in the mouth and on the feet of infected animals.
A highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, especially cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats, characterized by fever and the formation of vesicles (blisters) in the mouth and on the feet.
Aphthous fever is usually technical (veterinary/historical) in register.
Aphthous fever: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæfθəs ˈfiːvə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæfθəs ˈfiːvər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Aphthous' sounds like 'aftershocks' of a disease, causing ulcers (aphthae) and FEVER.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISEASE IS AN INVADER (causing lesions).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the term 'aphthous fever' most likely be found today?