Blackleg: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
blackleg
[ หblรฆkหlษg ]
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.
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
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:
๐ต๐น perna negra
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเคพเคฒเคพ เคชเฅเคฐ
๐ฉ๐ช Schwarzbein
๐ฎ๐ฉ kaki hitam
๐บ๐ฆ ัะพัะฝะฐ ะฝะพะณะฐ
๐ต๐ฑ czarna noga
๐ฏ๐ต ้ป่
๐ซ๐ท jambe noire
๐ช๐ธ pierna negra
๐น๐ท siyah bacak
๐ฐ๐ท ๊ฒ์ ๋ค๋ฆฌ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุณุงู ุณูุฏุงุก
๐จ๐ฟ ฤernรก noha
๐ธ๐ฐ ฤierna noha
๐จ๐ณ ้ป่ ฟ
๐ธ๐ฎ ฤrna noga
๐ฎ๐ธ svart fรณtur
๐ฐ๐ฟ าะฐัะฐ ะฐัา
๐ฌ๐ช แจแแแ แคแแฎแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ qara ayaq
๐ฒ๐ฝ 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.
- ...
- 32942 casualness
- 32943 mishandled
- 32944 aesthete
- 32945 blackleg
- 32946 oleander
- 32947 vegetate
- 32948 extendable
- ...