Mange

/mændʒ/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A skin disease caused by parasitic mites, characterized by itching and loss of hair.

The dog was diagnosed with mange, which caused it to lose patches of fur.

Infestation of animals with mange mites.

The farm had to be quarantined due to an outbreak of mange among the livestock.

A disheveled appearance in animals due to this disease.

The stray cat looked unhealthy and was suffering from mange.

Middle English, from Anglo-French 'mange' meaning 'to eat'.

mange mange:

A colloquial expression referring to the condition of having mange or looking unkempt.

mange on:

To continue living despite difficult conditions, akin to an animal suffering from mange.

To look rough or unkempt, akin to how animals with mange may appear.

After camping for a week, he looked like he had a case of mange.

To suffer from neglect or poor conditions.

That old car is really mangy; it hasn't been taken care of.