oestrus

2 definitions found

oestrus - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  oestrus \oes"trus\, n. [L., a gadfly; also, frenzy, fr. Gr. ?
     gadfly; hence, sting, fury, insane desire, frenzy.]
     1. (Zool.) A genus of gadflies. The species which deposits
        its larvae in the nasal cavities of sheep is oestrus  ovis
        .
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A vehement desire.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. Specifically: (Physiol.) The periodical sexual impulse of
        animals; the period during which female animals are most
        receptive to males; heat; rut.
        [1913 Webster +PJC]

oestrus - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  oestrus
      n 1: applies to nonhuman mammals: a state or period of
           heightened sexual arousal and activity [syn: estrus,
           oestrus, heat, rut] [ant: anestrum, anestrus,
           anoestrum, anoestrus]
      2: type genus of the Oestridae: sheep botflies [syn: Oestrus,
         genus Oestrus]