delirium tremens

American  

[dih-leer-ee-uhm tree-muhnz, -menz] / dɪˈlɪər i əm ˈtri mənz, -mɛnz /

noun

Pathology.

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

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delirium tremens British  

/ ˈtriː-, ˈtrɛmɛnz /

noun

1. Abbreviation: dt.   DT's.  a severe psychotic condition occurring in some persons with chronic alcoholism, characterized by delirium, tremor, anxiety, and vivid hallucinations

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delirium tremens Scientific  

/ dĭ-lîr′ē-əmtrē′mənz /

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of delirium tremens

First recorded in 1813; from New Latin: “trembling delirium”

Example Sentences

An autopsy later found that she had been experiencing delirium tremens caused by withdrawal from diazepam, an anti-anxiety medication that P.T.S. staff members said they were never informed she was taking.

From New York Times • Jul. 6, 2016

The book records a period of acute psychological and spiritual disorientation, delirium tremens, the near-destruction of a literary intelligence, starring Kerouac as Jack Duluoz, “bloody ‘King of the Beatniks.’”

From Slate • Jan. 15, 2013

Or perhaps someone possesses the secret of how to separate free labor from the delirium tremens of imperialism, that is, of turning back the clock of social development half a century or a century?

From Dictatorship vs. Democracy (Terrorism and Communism) by Trotzky, Leon Davidovich

A hallucination is a false image or belief which has nothing, outside of the disordered mind, to suggest it; as, the hallucinations of delirium tremens.

From English Synonyms and Antonyms With Notes on the Correct Use of Prepositions by Fernald, James Champlin

But a man is never martyred in any honest sense in the pursuit of his pleasure; and delirium tremens has more of the honour of the cross.

From The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 24 (of 25) by Stevenson, Robert Louis