anthrax

AN-thraks

meaning in plain English

A serious sickness that can spread quickly among animals like sheep and cows, caused by a tiny germ.

for example

The farmer worried when his cattle started dying from anthrax and called the vet right away.

Imagine a whole herd of sheep suddenly getting very sick and dying for no clear reason. Why would healthy animals just collapse like that? Because anthrax is a deadly germ that spreads fast through their food or wounds.