delirium tremens

[tree-muh nz, -menz]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR delirium tremens ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Pathology.

a withdrawal syndrome occurring in persons who have developed physiological dependence on alcohol, characterized by tremor, visual hallucinations, and autonomic instability. Abbreviation: d.t.

Origin of delirium tremens

1813; < New Latin: trembling delirium

Also called the d.t.'s.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for delirium tremens

heebie-jeebies, mania, horrors, jimjams

Examples from the Web for delirium tremens

Historical Examples of delirium tremens

Poe was attacked with delirium-tremens in Baltimore, and died in a hospital in that city in October, 1849.
Home Life of Great Authors
Hattie Tyng Griswold

British Dictionary definitions for delirium tremens

delirium tremens

noun

a severe psychotic condition occurring in some persons with chronic alcoholism, characterized by delirium, tremor, anxiety, and vivid hallucinationsAbbreviation: dt, (informal) DT's

Word Origin for delirium tremens

C19: New Latin, literally: trembling delirium

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for delirium tremens

1813, medical Latin, literally "trembling delirium," introduced 1813 by British physician Thomas Sutton, for "that form of delirium which is rendered worse by bleeding, but improved by opium. By Rayer and subsequent writers it has been almost exclusively applied to delirium resulting from the abuse of alcohol" [Sydenham Society Lexicon of Medicine]. As synonyms, Farmer lists barrel-fever, gallon distemper, blue Johnnies, bottle ache, pink spiders, quart-mania snakes in the boots, triangles, uglies, etc.

delirium tremens in Medicine

delirium tremens

[trē′mənz]

n.

An acute, sometimes fatal episode of delirium that is usually caused by withdrawal or abstinence from alcohol following habitual excessive drinking and that is characterized by sweating, trembling, anxiety, confusion, and hallucinations.

delirium tremens in Science

delirium tremens

[dĭ-lîr′ē-əm trē′mənz]

An acute, sometimes fatal episode of delirium that is usually caused by withdrawal or abstinence from alcohol following habitual excessive drinking or an episode of heavy alcohol consumption. It is characterized by trembling, sweating, acute anxiety, confusion, and hallucinations.