locoism: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare (C2 Level)Specialist/Technical (veterinary, agricultural, botanical); occasionally Informal/Figurative
Quick answer
What does “locoism” mean?
A chronic disease of livestock caused by the ingestion of certain plants (locoweed) of the genera Oxytropis and Astragalus, characterized by neurological symptoms and erratic behavior.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A chronic disease of livestock caused by the ingestion of certain plants (locoweed) of the genera Oxytropis and Astragalus, characterized by neurological symptoms and erratic behavior.
Informally, it can refer to any state or condition of wild, irrational, or erratic behavior, similar to the madness seen in affected animals.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The primary technical usage is more common in American English due to the prevalence of locoweed in western North America. In British English, the term is known but less frequently encountered, even in technical circles, as the plant is not native.
Connotations
Both share the core veterinary meaning. The informal, figurative use is extremely rare but slightly more likely in American English, often carrying a humorous or hyperbolic tone.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both, but significantly higher in American English texts related to ranching, veterinary science, and botany.
Grammar
How to Use “locoism” in a Sentence
The rancher feared locoism (in) his herd.Locoism is caused by (the ingestion of) locoweed.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used, except in the niche context of agricultural insurance or livestock trading.
Academic
Used in veterinary, agricultural, and botanical papers discussing toxic plant effects on grazing animals.
Everyday
Extremely rare. If used, it would be a deliberate, often humorous, borrowing of the technical term to describe human irrationality.
Technical
The primary domain. Precise term for a specific veterinary toxicological condition.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “locoism”
- Misspelling as 'locosm', 'locoicism'.
- Using it as a general synonym for 'craze' or 'fad' (which is 'locomania', if anything).
- Pronouncing it /ləʊˈkɒɪzəm/ (like 'choice') instead of /ˈləʊkəʊɪzəm/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not infectious. It is a poisoning caused solely by ingesting the toxic plants over time.
Humans are not typically affected by grazing on locoweed, so the technical veterinary definition does not apply. The term is only used figuratively for humans.
'Loco' (from Spanish) is a general, informal adjective meaning 'crazy'. 'Locoism' is a specific noun for a medical condition in animals, though it can humorously extend from that meaning.
There is no specific antidote. Treatment involves removing the animal from the source of the toxic plants and providing supportive care; recovery depends on the extent of neurological damage.
A chronic disease of livestock caused by the ingestion of certain plants (locoweed) of the genera Oxytropis and Astragalus, characterized by neurological symptoms and erratic behavior.
Locoism is usually specialist/technical (veterinary, agricultural, botanical); occasionally informal/figurative in register.
Locoism: in British English it is pronounced /ˈləʊkəʊˌɪz(ə)m/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈloʊkoʊˌɪzəm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms. The word itself is highly specific.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a LOCOmotive (train) going off the rails in a wild, uncontrollable way, caused by eating 'LOCO'weed. LOCOism drives animals 'loc-o' (crazy).
Conceptual Metaphor
MADNESS IS A TOXIN / POISON. The irrational state is conceptualized as a substance ingested from a specific external source.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'locoism' MOST appropriately and accurately used?