delirium

[dih-leer-ee-uhm]

noun

plural

deliriums, deliria 

1. Pathology.,  a more or less temporary disorder of the mental faculties, as in fevers, disturbances of consciousness, or intoxication, characterized by restlessness, excitement, delusions, hallucinations, etc.

2. a state of violent excitement or emotion.

delirium

/ dɪˈlɪrɪəm /

noun

1. a state of excitement and mental confusion, often accompanied by hallucinations, caused by high fever, poisoning, brain injury, etc

2. violent excitement or emotion; frenzy

Other Word Forms

• semidelirium noun
• deliriant adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of delirium¹

1590–1600; < Latin dēlīrium frenzy, equivalent to dēlīr ( āre ) ( deliration ) + -ium -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of delirium¹

C16: from Latin: madness, from dēlīrāre, literally: to swerve from a furrow, hence be crazy, from _de- + līra ridge, furrow

Example Sentences

As she crawls, screams, scratches and sneers, Lawrence maintains a soulful balance between Grace’s creeping delirium and her ceaseless dedication to her newborn son.

Read more on Salon

One of its common names, Jimson Weed, refers to Jamestown, where visiting British forces mistakenly ate the weed in a salad and spent 11 days in a stupefied delirium.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A sellout crowd at Camden Yards — in attendance for the 30th anniversary of Cal Ripken Jr.’s Ironman moment — broke into delirium.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This talented Ivorian had a really good first season at Brighton, famously scoring at Ajax to send the travelling fans there into delirium.

Read more on BBC

He found the first fairway on Saturday, though, and it set the tone for an early charge that sent thousands of already frenzied disciples into delirium.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• fever 
• hallucination 
• hysteria