piblokto

English

Alternative forms

• piblockto, pibloktoq

Etymology

Borrowed from Inuktitut *pivliRuRtuq (“is mad, has hysteria or fever”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /pɪˈblɒktəʊ/

Noun

piblokto (uncountable)

1. A condition affecting dogs or other animals in the Arctic, characterized by aggressive behavior and seizures.
   • 1884, D. B. MacMillan, The Shield: official publication of the Theta Delta Chi Fraternity, Volume 27: With Peary in the Arctic, page 19:

     A piblockto dog gave us considerable trouble today; yelping and barking he repeatedly changed out of the darkness, biting right and left, throwing the different teams into utter confusion.

2. A condition affecting the Inuit peoples in winter, characterized by a period of frenzied activity or irrational behavior, followed by unconsciousness or stupor.

Synonyms

• Arctic hysteria