dengue

American  

[deng-gey, -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.

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dengue British  

/ ˈdændɪ, ˈdɛŋɡɪ /

noun

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

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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.

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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

Removing stagnant water, such as by emptying flowerpot plates, overturning unused pails and breaking up hardened soil, can help break the dengue transmission cycle.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

As there is no universal vaccine for dengue, treatment often involves managing pain with medication such as paracetamol.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

High concentrations of dengue hotspots are found in South and South East Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

Urgency to tamp down the invasive mosquito population in California has increased since 2023, when the state logged its first locally acquired dengue cases — meaning people were infected in their communities, not while traveling.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 4, 2026

The weakness that his dengue fever had left was finally gone.

From "Kindred" by Octavia Butler