Botulism - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Botulism is a rare but serious illness caused by a toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria. It leads to muscle paralysis and can be life-threatening if untreated.
Definition:
A rare, serious illness caused by a toxin produced by Clostridium botulinum bacteria, leading to paralysis.
Synonyms:
food poisoning, intoxication, neurotoxin poisoning
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
health, wellness
Common Collocations:
botulism outbreak, botulism toxin, botulism symptoms, infant botulism
Derivatives:
botulinic, botulin
Usage Tips:
Use "botulism" when referring to the specific disease caused by bacterial toxins, not general food poisoning.
Common Phrases:
deadly botulism, fight botulism, prevent botulism
Etymology:
From Latin "botulus" (sausage), as early cases were linked to poorly preserved meats.
Examples:
- 1. The doctor diagnosed the patient with botulism after examining the symptoms.
- 2. Improperly canned foods can sometimes cause botulism if not prepared safely.
- 3. Infant botulism occurs when babies ingest spores of the bacteria from honey or soil.
- 4. The health department issued a warning about a possible botulism outbreak in the area.