bluetongue

== English == === Alternative forms === blue-tongue === Etymology === From blue +‎ tongue. === Noun === bluetongue (countable and uncountable, plural bluetongues) (uncountable) A disease of ruminants, caused by Bluetongue virus of the genus Orbivirus, carried by mosquitos, midges etc. [from 19th c.] (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.” (countable, Australia, New Zealand, colloquial) Someone who is as sleepy as a lizard; a lazy person. [from 20th c.] ==== Synonyms ==== (disease): catarrhal fever ==== Translations ====