estrus Hear it!

estrus definition

es·trus (es′trəs; Brit usually ē′strəs)

noun

  1. the periodic sexual excitement of most female placental mammals, corresponding to rut in males; heat
  2. the period of this when the female will accept mating with the male, characterized by changes in the sex organs

Etymology: ModL < L oestrus, gadfly, horsefly, frenzy < Gr oistros, gadfly, sting, frenzy < IE base *eis-, to move violently > ON eisa, to rush on, L ira, ire, Lith aistra, violent passion

Also estrum es′·trum (-trəm)

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Comments
Improve this definition.
Do you have more to add? Share your linguistic knowledge or observation.
/Register to save your comments.