Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
estrus [es-truh s] Word Origin noun Zoology.
- Also es·trum [es-truh m] /ˈɛs trəm/, oestrus. the period of heat or rut; the period of maximum sexual receptivity of the female.
- estrous cycle.
Origin of estrus 1885–90; Latin oestrus oestrus Related formses·tru·al [es-troo-uh l] /ˈɛs tru əl/, adjective British Dictionary definitions for estrual estrus noun
- the usual US spelling of oestrus
Derived Formsestrous, adjective Word Origin and History for estrual estrus n.
1850, “frenzied passion,” from Latin oestrus “frenzy, gadfly,” from Greek oistros “gadfly, breeze, sting, mad impulse,” perhaps from a PIE *eis, forming words denoting passion (cf. Avestan aešma- “anger,” Lithuanian aistra “violent passion,” Latin ira “anger”). First attested 1890 with specific meaning “rut in animals, heat.” Earliest use (1690s) was for “a gadfly.” Related: Estrous (1900).
estrual in Medicine estrus n.
- The periodic state of sexual excitement in the female of most mammals, excluding humans, that immediately precedes ovulation and during which the female is most receptive to mating; heat.
estrual in Science estrus [ĕs′trəs]
- A regularly recurring period in female mammals other than humans during which the animal is sexually receptive. Estrus occurs around the time of ovulation. Also called heat