The Collaborative International Dictionary
Bubonic plague \Bubonic plague\ (Med.) a severe and often fatal disease caused by infection with the bacterium Yersinia pestis (formerly Pasteurella pestis), transmitted to man by the bite of fleas, themselves usually infected by biting infected rodents. It is characterized by the formation of buboes, most notably on the groin and armpits, and accompanied by weakness and high fever. The disease was known as the black death, and was responsible for several devastating plagues throughout the middle ages. When lungs became infected, the disease was called the pneumonic plague. It is still found occasionally in poor areas of undeveloped countries but is rare in developed countries.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"bubonic/pneumonic plague epidemic of 1347-51 in Europe," a modern name, introduced in English 1823 by Elizabeth Penrose's history of England. The contemporary name for it in most languages was something like "the great dying" or simply "the plague" (or, looking back after its return, "the first pestilence"). The term "Black Death" first turns up in 16c. Swedish and Danish chronicles, but in reference to a visitation of plague in Iceland in 1402-3 that carried off much of the population there (which had been spared in the earlier outbreak). The exact sense of "black" is not clear. The term appears in English translations of the Scandinavian works from 1750s. It was picked up in German c.1770 and applied to the earlier outbreak, and taken from there into English in that sense.
Wiktionary
n. (context disease historical English) A pandemic outbreak (often attributed to bubonic plague) throughout Europe and most of Asia in the 14th century that killed nearly half the population of Europe and Asia.
Wikipedia
The Black Death was one of the most devastating pandemics in human history, resulting in the deaths of an estimated people and peaking in Europe in the years 1346–53. Although there were several competing theories as to the etiology of the Black Death, analysis of DNA from victims in northern and southern Europe published in 2010 and 2011 indicates that the pathogen responsible was the Yersinia pestis bacterium, probably causing several forms of plague.
The Black Death is thought to have originated in the arid plains of Central Asia, where it then travelled along the Silk Road, reaching Crimea by 1343. From there, it was most likely carried by Oriental rat fleas living on the black rats that were regular passengers on merchant ships. Spreading throughout the Mediterranean and Europe, the Black Death is estimated to have killed 30–60% of Europe's total population. In total, the plague reduced the world population from an estimated 450 million down to 350–375 million in the 14th century. The world population as a whole did not recover to pre-plague levels until the 17th century. The plague recurred occasionally in Europe until the 19th century.
The plague created a series of religious, social, and economic upheavals, which had profound effects on the course of European history.
"Black Death" is the first recorded work by the North Carolina band Arrogance, released in 1970 (see 1970 in music). Black Death was originally slated to be the lead track, but according to Don Dixon it was inadvertently switched. 1 Also recorded at this session was a song called Race With The Devil, which appeared as a bonus track on the reissue CD of Arrogance's first LP, Give Us a Break (1973).
Black Death is a 2010 German-British action horror film directed by Christopher Smith from an original screenplay by Dario Poloni. It stars Sean Bean, Eddie Redmayne, and Carice van Houten.
Despite not being credited as a writer, Smith made very significant changes in the second half of the script, including a new ending. All the scenes of Black Death were shot in chronological order, a rare occurrence.
The Black Death was one of the deadliest pandemics in human history.
Black Death may also refer to:
- Black Death (American band), an American heavy metal band.
- Black Death (comics), a fictional character in the Marvel universe.
- Black Death (film), a 2010 British horror film directed by Christopher Smith.
- Quiet Killer, also known as Black Death, a Canadian television film.
- "Black Death" (song), a hard rock song by Arrogance.
- Blackened death metal, an extreme metal music genre.
- Brennivín, an Icelandic schnapps that is sometimes called Black Death.
- The Russian Naval Infantry, nicknamed "Black Death" during World War II and afterwards by its enemies in reference to its combat effectiveness and black uniforms.
- "The Black Death", a nickname for the African Buffalo, reflecting the dangerousness of the species.
Black Death are an American band who have been noted as the "first all- African-American heavy metal band." The group were also mentioned in Ian Christe's book Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal., and mentioned Rock 'n' roll and the Cleveland connection by Deanna R. Adams as "one of the only, if not the only, all-black metal bands in the country" in 1987.
Black Death was a nameless band in 1977 consisting of Greg Hicks, Phil Bullard, and Clayborn Pinkins. Then in 1978 they recruited Reginal Gamble("Siki Spacek"). The Name Black Death was brought to the table by Hicks and Pinkins in 1979. That year Pinkins was shot and killed. Soon after Ed Goodan took over on bass. One year later Darrel Harris replace Goodan on Bass. The first recording was of one song called "Outcast" in 1980. Appropriately titled, that song was only aired on Brian Sergents ("serge") local college radio show. The response from that song generated interest from Sergent to put the band in the studio. The second recording was in 1981 at Angel studios and to date has never been released. The third was a Demo recorded at Suma studios in 1982. Two songs were featured on "Cleveland Metal Compilation". The fourth recording to was the now classic debut LP that was released by Auburn Records in Cleveland Ohio. With only 2,000 LP's printed, it is a very sought after and hard to find release. In 2007 Bullard and Mike Green recruited Siki and formed a new group called "Mandrake". Soon after they parted ways with Siki due to his personal/substance abuse problems and recruited Greg Hicks on Bass.
In 2008, original Black Death drummer Phil Bullard died from cancer. After Bullard's death Mandrake recruited Dennis Fuldauer on drums, and also Ken Phillips on lead guitar. One year later Mandrake disbanded.
In early 2009 founding member of Black Death, Hicks and the remaining members of Mandrake (Fuldauer and Phillips) reformed Black Death with an all star lineup consisting of:
- Greg Hicks (Black Death founder) on bass
- Ken Phillips (former Angel Corpse) on lead guitar
- Dennis Fuldauer (former Destructor,Escalation Anger,Drogheda) on drums
- Sandy Krueger (former Sacred Few,Cerberus) on vocals
- Mark Shea on guitar ("Metalhead")
After Bullard's death, Hicks is the only remaining founding member that owns the copyright to the name, logo, songs and lyrics. "Black Death lives for you Phil", stated by Hicks proves that he continues the Black Death band and spirit in honor of his fallen brother.
Black Death's current line up performed as special guest on February 20, 2009 at the 88.7FM WJCU Radio Benefit Concert. The following April Black Death performed at the Dittigheim Indoor Open Air Festival in Cleveland, Ohio.
In 2010 the new line up of Black Death played their 25-year anniversary show in downtown Cleveland at Cleats Gateway. Just before the next appearance Black Death was on WJCU 88.7 John Carrol University Radio interviewed by Bill Peters on his "Metal on Metal" show Friday December 3.
On December 11, 2010 Black Death played The 2010 Iron Ingo Cleveland Indoor Air Festival at the Beachland Ballroom (hosted by Bill Peters and Auburn Records) to a standing room only crowd. The live response was overwhelming.
Currently Black Death is awaiting the release of a 2 cd re-issue of their material (with a date yet to be determined by Auburn Records), and is working on new material for a new Cd release and a full live DVD video from the Cleats and Iron Ingo shows. Which will be exclusively available on their website. The band's new official web site:
There is also a Black Death Fan page made by fans (not the band)
In late 2010 past member guitarist/vocalist Siki Spacek formed a new project called "Siki Spacek's Resurrection" which is currently working on new material & is managed by Wayne "Woody" Mesker of Woodstock Entertainment in Cleveland, Ohio
Siki Spacek's Resurrection is: Siki Spacek Guitar/Vocals,Bobby Fusion Bass/Vocals,Titus Rosales Drums/Vocals
Usage examples of "black death".
Their modest acres in the Cotswolds had been suitable for little save sheep grazing, but after the decimating Black Death the wool trade had flourished.
Even the notorious Black Death on Earth in the Middle Ages killed only a third of the population.
They rose from the boulder field, now all but invisible in the shadows, but their lethal tips flashed golden as they arced into the sunlight and came driving down upon the fort like black death fletched in crimson and green.
Soon there won't be a seed potato available that isn't allegedly loaded with antidotes to everything from the common cold to the black death.
If a Black Death could be spread throughout the world once in every generation survivors could procreate freely without making the world too full.