fever
noun
- common medical sign characterized by elevated body temperature
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈfiːvə/ / /ˈfivɚ/
noun
Etymology: From Middle English fever, fevere, from Old English fefer, fefor (“fever”) and Old French fievre (“fever”), from Latin febris (“a fever”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰegʷʰ- (“to burn”). Displaced native Old English hriþ (“fever”). Compare also Saterland Frisian Fiewer, German Fieber, Danish feber, Swedish feber.
- A higher than normal body temperature of a person (or, generally, a mammal), usually caused by disease.
“There has been a rise in my fever. I think I've the flu.”
“Proper nutrition – and even more important, proper hydration – is crucial in preventing and recovering from both fevers and colds. […] As Abramson explained, when we are sick, whether we have a fever or not, our metabolic rates skyrocket, and our bodies need more calories to support that high metabolic rate.”
- Any of various diseases.
“scarlet fever”
- A state of excitement or anxiety.
“an envious fever”
“There is little doubt that while war fever has not gripped Taipei, its economic foundations are being shaken. The stock market rose yesterday, but only because the Government has pumped $1.5 billion (£1 billion) into it after $370 million was drained from banks, and stocks were sold by investors who are worried by the Chinese manoeuvres.”
- A group of stingrays.
“On the way back to the mainland the boat passed over a fever of stingrays, and the sight of them through the glass was enough to colour everything else, and outstrip it.”
“They move like thoughts, like memory, like a Wes Anderson diorama of earthly delights: lionfish, an albacore, a fever of stingrays—and then like a wound, a sea turtle at eye level.”
- Sexual attraction towards a specific group of people.
“Asian fever”
“clown fever”
verb
Etymology: From Middle English fever, fevere, from Old English fefer, fefor (“fever”) and Old French fievre (“fever”), from Latin febris (“a fever”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰegʷʰ- (“to burn”). Displaced native Old English hriþ (“fever”). Compare also Saterland Frisian Fiewer, German Fieber, Danish feber, Swedish feber.
- To put into a fever; to affect with fever.
“a fevered lip”
“the white hand of a lady fever thee”
- To become fevered.