dengue

American  

[deng-gay, -gee] / ˈdɛŋ geɪ, -gi /

noun

Pathology.

1. an infectious, eruptive fever of warm climates, usually epidemic, characterized especially by severe pains in the joints and muscles.

---

dengue British  

/ ˈdɛŋɡɪ, ˈdændɪ /

noun

1. Also called: breakbone fever. an acute viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, characterized by headache, fever, pains in the joints, and skin rash

---

dengue Scientific  

/ dĕng′gē,-gā /

1. An acute, infectious tropical disease caused by any of several viruses of the genus Flavivirus. It is transmitted by mosquitoes, and characterized by high fever, rash, headache, and severe muscle and joint pain.

---

Etymology

Origin of dengue

An Americanism first recorded in 1820–30; from Latin American Spanish: literally, “prudery, affectation,” by folk etymology from Swahili -dinga, kadinga “seizure, cramp” or from another Bantu language

---

Explanation

Dengue is a tropical disease that's spread through mosquito bites. The best way to avoid getting dengue is to use insect repellant and cover windows with mosquito netting. Dengue, or dengue fever, is a common viral illness in more than 100 countries around the world. It is usually relatively mild, but about 18 percent of infected people end up in the hospital, some of them requiring blood transfusions. Symptoms include body aches, fever, and rash, with severe cases causing low platelet counts. As the climate warms and mosquito populations grow, dengue cases have also increased. Dengue is derived from the Swahili dinga, "seizure or cramp."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

dengue

"Programming without electricity or an internet connection is a problem... you can either come here to play or stay behind during a blackout, get bitten by mosquitoes, and catch dengue," he said.

From Barron's ● Oct. 13, 2026

Many people develop local approaches and manage while others suffer contaminated water and disease, including cholera, dengue fever and malaria, just as billions did before the eruption.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 22, 2026

Streets are clotted with uncollected mountains of garbage, which breed clouds of mosquitoes that spread dengue and other diseases.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026

Another mosquito-borne disease of increasing concern in California is dengue.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

The doctor confirmed you both had dengue fever.

From "The Bridge Home" by Padma Venkatraman

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---