Anthrax (&unr_;), n. [L., fr. Gr. &unr_; coal, carbuncle.] 1. (Med.) (a) A carbuncle. (b) A malignant pustule.
[1913 Webster]

2. (Biol.) A microscopic, bacterial organism (Bacillus anthracis), resembling transparent rods. [See Illust. under Bacillus.]
[1913 Webster]

3. An infectious disease of cattle and sheep. It is ascribed to the presence of a rod-shaped gram-positive 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.
[1913 Webster]