anthrax

noun ahn-TRAKS Rare

Origin: Greek anthrax 'coal, carbuncle'

Usage Note

Anthrax in French refers to the infectious disease caused by Bacillus anthracis, the same as English 'anthrax'. However, in older or medical French usage, anthrax can also mean a severe skin carbuncle (cluster of boils) — distinct from a simple furoncle. Context distinguishes the bioterrorism/disease sense from the dermatological one.

Examples

"Des spores d'anthrax ont été trouvées dans le colis."

Natural Translation

Anthrax spores were found in the package.

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