Oestrus

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈiːstɹəs/

Alternative forms

• Å“strus, estrus U.S.

Origin

From the Latin oestrus ("gadfly”, “sting”, “frenzy"), from the Ancient Greek οἶστρος, from Proto-Indo-European *eis, used to form words denoting passion; see also Latin ira ("anger"), Lithuanian aistra ("violent passion"), Avestan (aesma, "anger")

Full definition of oestrus

Noun

1. A biting fly of the genus Oestrus; a botfly.
2. A bite or sting.
3. (archaic) A passion or frenzy.
4. A female animal's readiness to mate; heat, rut.
• 2001, David Lodge, Thinks...‘It’s the supremely human act, freely to fuck, not because you are on heat, or in oestrus, like an animal, but to give and receive pleasure.’

Anagrams

• estrous, ousters, sourest, souters, toruses, tousers, tussore