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lone star tick
noun
: an ixodid tick (Amblyomma americanum) of the southern, central, and eastern U.S. that attacks mammals and birds, is a vector of several diseases (such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever and ehrlichiosis), and in which the adult female has a single white spot on the back
Examples of lone star tick in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
For instance, the lone star tick, named for a white spot on its back, is often found in Texas, and the brown dog tick thrives in Arizona.
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Ashwin Rodrigues, Outside Online, 11 July 2024
The most distinctive feature of lone star ticks may be the starlike white splotch on the backs of adult females that gives them their name.
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Catherine Roberts, Washington Post, 8 July 2024
The lone star tick can transmit alpha-gal syndrome to humans through its saliva.
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Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 3 July 2024
Meanwhile, more water-guzzling swimming pools are being built than ever, lone star ticks that can cause a meat allergy have reached Rhode Island and giant Burmese pythons are slithering northward from Florida.
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Janet Wilson, USA TODAY, 27 June 2024
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lone star tick.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1896, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near lone star tick
Cite this Entry
“Lone star tick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lone%20star%20tick. Accessed 12 Sep. 2024.
Medical Definition
lone star tick
noun
: an ixodid tick of the genus Amblyomma (A. americanum) of the southern, central, and eastern United States that attacks mammals and birds, is a vector of several diseases (as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and anaplasmosis), and in which the adult female has a single white spot on the back
More from Merriam-Webster on lone star tick
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lone star tick
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