louping ill

English

Alternative forms

• louping-ill
• louping

Etymology

From Scots loup (“to leap”), since affected sheep would spring into the air.

Pronunciation

enPR: louping ĭl or enPR: lōping ĭl

Noun

louping ill (uncountable)

1. An enzootic and often fatal viral disease of sheep and other domestic animals, spread by ticks. It is characterized by muscular tremors and spasms, followed by more or less complete paralysis. The principal lesion is an inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord.

Anagrams

• oil pulling