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}.
A malignant and a turbaned Turk. --Shak.
2. Characterized or caused by evil intentions; pernicious.
``Malignant care.'' --Macaulay.
Some malignant power upon my life. --Shak.
Something deleterious and malignant as his touch.
--Hawthorne.
3. (Med.) Tending to produce death; threatening a fatal
issue; virulent; as, malignant diphtheria.
{Malignant pustule} (Med.), a very contagious disease,
transmitted to man from animals, characterized by the
formation, at the point of reception of the virus, of a
vesicle or pustule which first enlarges and then breaks
down into an unhealthy ulcer. It is marked by profound
exhaustion and usually fatal. Called also {charbon}, and
sometimes, improperly, {anthrax}.
2. (Med.) A very painful acute local inflammation of the
subcutaneous tissue, esp. of the trunk or back of the
neck, characterized by brawny hardness of the affected
parts, sloughing of the skin and deeper tissues, and
marked constitutional depression. It differs from a boil
in size, tendency to spread, and the absence of a central
core, and is frequently fatal. It is also called
{anthrax}.
3. (Her.) A charge or bearing supposed to represent the
precious stone. It has eight scepters or staves radiating
from a common center. Called also {escarbuncle}.