botulism
[ boch-uh-liz-uh m ]
/ ˈbɒtʃ əˌlɪz əm /
noun Pathology.
a sometimes fatal disease of the nervous system acquired from spoiled foods in which botulin is present, especially improperly canned or marinated foods.
Origin of botulism
1875–80; < German
Botulismus, equivalent to Latin
botul(us) sausage (a source of botulin toxin) +
-ismus
-ism
Words nearby botulism
botulin,
botulinum,
botulinum toxin,
botulinus,
botulinus toxin,
botulism,
botulism antitoxin,
botvinnik,
bouaké,
bouar,
boubas
Example sentences from the Web for botulism
British Dictionary definitions for botulism
botulism
/ (ˈbɒtjʊˌlɪzəm) /
noun
severe poisoning from ingestion of botulin, which affects the central nervous system producing difficulty in swallowing, visual disturbances, and respiratory paralysis: often fatal
Word Origin for botulism
C19: first formed as German
Botulismus literally: sausage poisoning, from Latin
botulus sausage
Medical definitions for botulism
botulism
[ bŏch′ə-lĭz′əm ]
n.
A severe, sometimes fatal food poisoning caused by ingestion of a toxin produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum in improperly canned or preserved food and characterized by nausea, vomiting, disturbed vision, and paralysis.
Scientific definitions for botulism
botulism
[ bŏch′ə-lĭz′əm ]
A severe, sometimes fatal food poisoning caused by eating food infected with the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, which produces botulinum toxin. The bacterium grows in food that has been improperly preserved.
Cultural definitions for botulism
botulism
[ (boch-uh-liz-uhm) ]
A severe form of food poisoning, often fatal if not treated quickly. Botulism is caused by a kind of bacterium that produces a toxin, and it is sometimes present in improperly canned or preserved foods.