an acute, infectious viral disease of mammals, that attacks the central nervous system: it can be transmitted to people through the bite of an infected animal and is characterized by choking, convulsions, inability to swallow, etc.
See rabies in American Heritage Dictionary 4
(rāˈbēz)
noun
An acute, infectious, often fatal viral disease of most warm-blooded animals, especially wolves, cats, and dogs, that attacks the central nervous system and is transmitted by the bite of infected animals.