Marek's disease

noun

Mar·​ek's disease ˈmer-iks- 

: a highly contagious virus disease of poultry that is marked especially by proliferation of lymphoid cells and is caused by either of two herpesviruses (species Gallid herpesvirus 2 and Gallid herpesvirus 3 of the genus Mardivirus)

Word History

Etymology

József Marek †1952 Hungarian veterinarian

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

Marek's disease

noun

Mar·​ek's disease ˈmar-iks-, ˈmer- 

: a highly contagious virus disease of poultry that is characterized especially by proliferation of lymphoid cells and is caused by either of two herpesviruses (species Gallid herpesvirus 2 and Gallid herpesvirus 3)