Plague
- Pronunciation
- /PLAGUE/
- Category
- Disease
- Singular
- Plague
- Plural
- Plagues
Definition
A contagious and often fatal disease caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which is transmitted by fleas, rodents, and other animals. In an entomological and arachnological context, the significance lies in the role of fleas as vectors of the disease.
Etymology
Example
The bubonic plague ravaged Europe in the Middle Ages.
Related Terms
- Bubonic plague
- Pneumonic plague
- Septicemic plague
- Fleas
- Rodents
Usage Notes
In entomology, the focus is on the role of fleas (often Xenopsylla cheopis) in the transmission of the plague.