Question

distemper An epidemic of feline distemper had swept the country, and its cat population had plummeted. dɪˈstɛmpər

Accepted Answer

(1) A highly contagious viral disease, especially of dogs. (2) A highly contagious and usually fatal viral disease, especially of cats, marked by the destruction of white blood cells. Back when doctors believed that our moods were affected by an imbalance of mysterious fluids in the body, or “humors,” distemper often meant moodiness, as when Shakespeare's Hamlet is asked “What is the source of your distemper?” Today the word is used only for true physical conditions. The distemper that affects dogs, often called canine distemper, also affects foxes, wolves, mink, raccoons, and ferrets. It can be treated with medication, but is generally fatal if not treated. Distemper in cats, known as feline distemper or panleukopenia, actually isn't related to canine distemper. If caught quickly, it too can be treated. And both types can be prevented by vaccination, so all responsible pet owners get their animals vaccinated

word	distemper
definition	(1) A highly contagious viral disease, especially of dogs. (2) A highly contagious and usually fatal viral disease, especially of cats, marked by the destruction of white blood cells.
eg_sentence	An epidemic of feline distemper had swept the country, and its cat population had plummeted.
explanation	Back when doctors believed that our moods were affected by an imbalance of mysterious fluids in the body, or “humors,” distemper often meant moodiness, as when Shakespeare's Hamlet is asked “What is the source of your distemper?” Today the word is used only for true physical conditions. The distemper that affects dogs, often called canine distemper, also affects foxes, wolves, mink, raccoons, and ferrets. It can be treated with medication, but is generally fatal if not treated. Distemper in cats, known as feline distemper or panleukopenia, actually isn't related to canine distemper. If caught quickly, it too can be treated. And both types can be prevented by vaccination, so all responsible pet owners get their animals vaccinated
IPA	dɪˈstɛmpər

Distemper Highly Contagious Viral Disease Fatal Cats Feline