Comma \Com"ma\, n. [L. comma part of a sentence, comma, Gr. ?
   clause, fr. ? to cut off. Cf. Capon.]
   1. A character or point [,] marking the smallest divisions of
      a sentence, written or printed.
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   2. (Mus.) A small interval (the difference between a major
      and minor half step), seldom used except by tuners.
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   Comma bacillus (Physiol.), a variety of bacillus shaped
      like a comma, found in the intestines of patients
      suffering from cholera. It is considered by some as having
      a special relation to the disease; -- called also cholera
      bacillus.

   Comma butterfly (Zool.), an American butterfly (Grapta
      comma), having a white comma-shaped marking on the under
      side of the wings.
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Cholera \Chol"er*a\, n. [L., a bilious disease. See Choler.]
   (Med.)
   One of several diseases affecting the digestive and
   intestinal tract and more or less dangerous to life, esp. the
   one commonly called Asiatic cholera.
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   Asiatic cholera, a malignant and rapidly fatal disease,
      originating in Asia and frequently epidemic in the more
      filthy sections of other lands, to which the germ or
      specific poison may have been carried. It is characterized
      by diarrhea, rice-water evacuations, vomiting, cramps,
      pinched expression, and lividity, rapidly passing into a
      state of collapse, followed by death, or by a stage of
      reaction of fever.

   Cholera bacillus. See Comma bacillus.

   Cholera infantum, a dangerous summer disease, of infants,
      caused by hot weather, bad air, or poor milk, and
      especially fatal in large cities.

   Cholera morbus, a disease characterized by vomiting and
      purging, with gripings and cramps, usually caused by
      imprudence in diet or by gastrointestinal disturbance.

   Chicken cholera. See under Chicken.

   Hog cholera. See under Hog.

   Sporadic cholera, a disease somewhat resembling the Asiatic
      cholera, but originating where it occurs, and rarely
      becoming epidemic.
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