Estrum

/ˈɛstrəm/ noun

Definition

The sexual receptivity or fertile period in the female reproductive cycle of animals; synonymous with estrus.

Etymology

Latin form related to 'oistros' (frenzy). This is an alternate spelling that emphasizes the Latin medical terminology.

Kelly Says

Estrum and estrus refer to the same thing, but estrum is the Latinized version you'd see in older medical texts—it shows how scientific terminology borrowed heavily from Latin to sound more authoritative.

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