zoonotichttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zoonotic_adj%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezoonotic, adj.
Revised 2017

zoonoticadjective

  1. 1877–
    Of or relating to a disease which can be transmitted naturally from animals to humans (cf. zoonosis n.). Also: designating such a disease.
    1. 1877
      Zoonotic diseases, such as hydrophobia and glanders.
      Edinburgh Medical Journal (1878) vol. 23 i. 522
    2. 1884
      A group of zoonotic inflammations..due..solely to the direct operation of the virus upon the tissues of the skin.
      Journal Cutaneous & Venereal Dis. vol. 2 203
    3. 1907
      Erysipeloid, a zoönotic affection.., occurs especially in persons whose occupation leads them to handle meat.
      A. R. Edwards, Treat. Princ. & Pract. Medicine i. 107
    4. 1956
      In searching for explanations of..zoonotic outbreaks, there are limitations in the taxonomic approach which should be borne in mind.
      Nature 3 March 407/2
    5. 1998
      HIV..appears to have had a zoonotic origin.
      T. C. Quinn & A. S. Fauci in R. M. Krause, Emerging Infections xi. 330
    6. 2013
      A successful zoonotic pathogen manages to jump from an animal to a person, invades their cells, replicates and then finds a way to transmit to other people.
      Observer 10 November (Tech Monthly Supplement) 14/3

Originally published as part of the entry for zoo-, comb. form

zoonotic, adj. was revised in June 2017.

zoonotic, adj. was last modified in March 2025.