delirium tremens

[ dih-leer-ee-uhm tree-muhnz, -menz ]
See synonyms for delirium tremens on Thesaurus.com
nounPathology.
  1. 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

1
First recorded in 1813; from New Latin: “trembling delirium”
  • Also called the d.t.'s [thuh-dee-teez] /ðə ˈdiˈtiz/ .

Words Nearby delirium tremens

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How to use delirium tremens in a sentence

  • I nursed him through several attacks of delirium tremens, and was always in fear that he would get out and disgrace us.

    Ancestors | Gertrude Atherton
  • It is most frequent among those whose addiction to alcohol for years has caused repeated paroxysms of delirium tremens.

  • It is not so apt to happen during a first attack of delirium tremens as during subsequent attacks.

  • Patients suffering from delirium tremens, for instance, may die suddenly in the midst of a paroxysm of excitement.

  • Nor could a man be punished for being admitted whilst suffering from delirium tremens.

British Dictionary definitions for delirium tremens

delirium tremens

/ (ˈtrɛmɛnz, ˈtriː-) /


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

Origin of delirium tremens

1
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

Scientific definitions for delirium tremens

delirium tremens

[ dĭ-lîrē-əm trēmənz ]


  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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