Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Anthrax \An"thrax\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? coal, carbuncle.]
   1. (Med.)
      (a) A carbuncle.
      (b) A malignant pustule.

   2. (Biol.) A microscopic, bacterial organism ({Bacillus
      anthracis}), resembling transparent rods. [See Illust.
      under {Bacillus}.]

   3. An infectious disease of cattle and sheep. It is ascribed
      to the presence of a rod-shaped bacterium ({Bacillus
      anthracis}), the spores of which constitute the contagious
      matter. It may be transmitted to man by inoculation. The
      spleen becomes greatly enlarged and filled with bacteria.
      Called also {splenic fever}.

Anthrax \An"thrax\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ? coal, carbuncle.]
   1. (Med.)
      (a) A carbuncle.
      (b) A malignant pustule.

   2. (Biol.) A microscopic, bacterial organism ({Bacillus
      anthracis}), resembling transparent rods. [See Illust.
      under {Bacillus}.]

   3. An infectious disease of cattle and sheep. It is ascribed
      to the presence of a rod-shaped bacterium ({Bacillus
      anthracis}), the spores of which constitute the contagious
      matter. It may be transmitted to man by inoculation. The
      spleen becomes greatly enlarged and filled with bacteria.
      Called also {splenic fever}.

Source : WordNet®

Bacillus anthracis
     n : a species of Bacillus that causes anthrax in humans and in
         animals (cattle and swine and sheep and sheep and rabbits
         and mice and guinea pigs); can be used a bioweapon [syn:
         {anthrax}]