1 murrain | Definition of murrain
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murrain

noun
mur·​rain | \ ˈmÉ™r-É™n How to pronounce murrain (audio) , ˈmÉ™-rÉ™n\

Definition of murrain

: a pestilence or plague especially affecting domestic animals

Examples of murrain in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Otherwise nature is outraged, floods will again sweep the land and murrains strike our cattle. — Dan Bilefsky, New York Times, "E.U. Deal Clears Path for British Referendum on Membership FEB. 19, 2016," 19 Feb. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'murrain.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of murrain

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for murrain

Middle English moreyne, from Anglo-French morine, from morir to die, from Latin mori — more at murder

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