hives

[ hahyvz ]

noun

, (used with a singular or plural verb)

1. any of various eruptive conditions of the skin, as the wheals of urticaria.

hives

/ haɪvz /

noun

1. See urticaria
   functioning as singular or plural pathol a nontechnical name for urticaria

hives

/ hīvz /

1. A skin condition characterized by transient, itching welts, usually resulting from an allergic reaction.

hives

1. A condition characterized by the sudden appearance of red, raised areas on the skin that itch severely. Hives may be caused by an allergic reaction ( see allergy ) to foods or other substances.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hives¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; originally Scots; of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of hives¹

C16: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

That kind of slightly over-anxious, wrapping up of objects in connoisseurship brings me out in hives.

From The Daily Beast

Playing overbearing guardians of their only child, these characters love their son so much that it gives him stress-induced hives.

From The Daily Beast

Despite the problems, the number of hives hasn't fallen since CCD first showed up in 2006.

From The Daily Beast

Because beekeepers have responded to the loss of hives by creating new ones.

From The Daily Beast

If there's enough money to be made, beekeepers will work very hard to build more hives.

From The Daily Beast

Women were plaiting hives in the open air; and the bees were abroad, mingling their humming with the murmurs from the sea.

From Project Gutenberg

It is ayether a cure f'r th' hives or enthers largely into th' mannyfacture iv carpet slippers.

From Project Gutenberg

At the same time several houses like bee-hives were perceived.

From Project Gutenberg

A small garden was attached, in the walls of which are still to be seen the recesses which contained Mike's bee-hives.

From Project Gutenberg

Above all, he had the reputation of stealing bee-hives, to which the fact of his being a bee-keeper was a sort of cover.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• epidemic
• eruption
• flood
• spate
• wave