hog cholera

noun

: a highly infectious often fatal disease of swine caused by a flavivirus (species Classical swine fever virus of the genus Pestivirus) and characterized by fever, loss of appetite, weakness, erythematous lesions especially in light-skinned animals, and severe leukopenia

Examples of hog cholera in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web His parents were farmers from southern Ohio whose fortunes were demolished by an outbreak of hog cholera. David James, Anchorage Daily News, 19 Aug. 2023 The symptoms are indistinguishable from those of hog cholera, item No. 10 on the al Qaeda bioweapon wish list: vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and a distinctive blue—purple discoloration of the snout, tail, and ears, typically followed swiftly by death. Nicola Twille, Wired, 6 July 2021 Stem rust, rice blast, foot-and-mouth disease, avian flu, hog cholera. Nicola Twille, Wired, 6 July 2021 Integral to the ecosystem, the species can eat the diseased remains of animals that might otherwise carry sicknesses, such as hog cholera or anthrax bacteria. Jordyn Hermani, Indianapolis Star, 13 July 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hog cholera.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1856, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hog cholera was in 1856

Dictionary Entries Near hog cholera

Cite this Entry

“Hog cholera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hog%20cholera. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hog cholera

noun
: a highly infectious often fatal virus disease of swine

Medical Definition

hog cholera

noun
: a highly infectious often fatal disease of swine caused by a flavivirus of the genus Pestivirus (species Classical swine fever virus) and characterized by fever, loss of appetite, weakness, erythematous lesions especially in light-skinned animals, and severe leukopenia

called also swine fever

see african swine fever

More from Merriam-Webster on hog cholera

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