zombifying
ZOM-bi-fy-ing
Definition
The act of causing a living organism to behave in a mindless, involuntary, or automaton-like manner, typically due to the influence of a parasite or external force.
Etymology
The word is derived from the noun 'zombie,' likely originating from West African languages such as 'nzambi' (spirit of a dead person), combined with the suffix '-ify,' which creates verbs denoting the act of making something into the root concept.
In the news
The article uses this term to describe the fungus's ability to manipulate a fly's nervous system, forcing it to climb to a high point to spread spores. It acts as a concise descriptor for the unsettling nature of this behavioral hijacking.
In 1855, scientists discovered a fungus that turns flies into zombie hosts. More than 160 years later, its
Read the full article ↗The Economic Times