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Blackleg: meaning, definitions and examples

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blackleg

 

[ หˆblรฆkหŒlษ›g ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

disease

Blackleg is a highly infectious disease that primarily affects livestock, particularly cattle and sheep. It is caused by the bacterium Clostridium chauvoei, which produces toxins that lead to sudden death in affected animals. The disease is characterized by swelling of the muscles, lameness, and dark discoloration of the tissues.

Synonyms

black quarter, clostridial myositis

Examples of usage

  • The farmer lost several calves to blackleg last year.
  • Vaccination against blackleg is essential for livestock health.
  • Symptoms of blackleg can appear quickly after infection.
Context #2 | Noun

slang

In slang terms, 'blackleg' refers to a person who continues to work during a strike or who takes the place of a worker without the support of a union. This term is often used in labor disputes to describe someone seen as betraying their coworkers.

Synonyms

scab, strikebreaker

Examples of usage

  • He was labeled a blackleg for crossing the picket line.
  • Blacklegs are often frowned upon in unionized environments.
  • The workers called the new hires blacklegs because they accepted the management's terms.

Translations

Translations of the word "blackleg" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น perna negra

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เคพเคฒเคพ เคชเฅˆเคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Schwarzbein

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kaki hitam

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ั‡ะพั€ะฝะฐ ะฝะพะณะฐ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ czarna noga

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ้ป’่„š

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท jambe noire

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ pierna negra

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท siyah bacak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ฒ€์€ ๋‹ค๋ฆฌ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุณุงู‚ ุณูˆุฏุงุก

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ฤernรก noha

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ ฤierna noha

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ้ป‘่…ฟ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ ฤrna noga

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ svart fรณtur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ า›ะฐั€ะฐ ะฐัา›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒจแƒแƒ•แƒ˜ แƒคแƒ”แƒฎแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ qara ayaq

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ pierna negra

Etymology

The term 'blackleg' has its origins rooted in agricultural terminology, specifically relating to livestock diseases. The word can be traced back to the 19th century when the first documented outbreaks of the clostridial infection occurred in cattle. It is believed that the name comes from the characteristic darkened appearance of the affected limbs and muscles due to tissue necrosis during the progression of the disease. As livestock farming became more widespread, particularly in Europe and North America, the term gained prominence. In labor contexts, the use of 'blackleg' as a pejorative term for those who cross picket lines likely arose during the industrial strikes of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, representing a betrayal of the collective action taken by workers seeking better rights and conditions. Today, 'blackleg' encompasses both agricultural and labor-related meanings, reflecting its versatility in the English language.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,945 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.