bluetongue

See also: blue-tongue

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From blue +‎ tongue.

Noun

bluetongue (countable and uncountable, plural bluetongues)

  1. (uncountable) A disease of ruminants, caused by Bluetongue virus of the genus Orbivirus, carried by mosquitos, midges etc. [from 19th c.]
  2. (countable, Australia) The blue-tongue lizard. [from 19th c.]
    • 2004, Nicholas Shakespeare, In Tasmania, Harvill Press, p. 191:
      “I don't worry about snakes, blue-tongues, spiders. All I worry about is the mutton-bird.”
  3. (countable, Australia, New Zealand, colloquial) Someone who is as sleepy as a lizard; a lazy person. [from 20th c.]

Synonyms

Translations

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