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psittacosis

(sit′ə kō′sis)

noun

an acute or chronic disease of birds, esp. birds of the parrot order, caused by a bacterium (Chlamydia psittaci): often transmitted to humans, in whom it is characterized by fever and pneumonia

Origin: ModL < L psittacus < Gr psittakos, parrot + -osis

See psittacosis in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

An infectious disease of parrots and related birds caused by the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci, that is communicable to humans, in whom it produces high fever, severe headache, and symptoms similar to pneumonia. Also called parrot fever.

Origin:

Origin: New Latin psittacōsis

Origin: : Latin psittacus, parrot (from Greek psittakos)

Origin: + -osis

Related Forms: