febrifuge

[feb-ruh-fyooj]

adjective

1. serving to dispel or reduce fever, as a medicine.

noun

1. such a medicine or agent.

2. a cooling drink.

febrifuge

/ fɪˈbrɪfjʊɡəl, ˈfɛbrɪˌfjuːdʒ, ˌfɛbrɪˈfjuːɡəl /

noun

1. any drug or agent for reducing fever

adjective

1. serving to reduce fever

Other Word Forms

• febrifugal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of febrifuge¹

1680–90; < French < Late Latin febrifugia plant good for curing fever. See febri-, -fuge

Word History and Origins

Origin of febrifuge¹

C17: from Medieval Latin febrifugia feverfew; see _febri- , _-fuge

Example Sentences

I watched by his side until a regimental doctor—sent from the 14th, as we have none of our own—came by with febrifuge.

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The water in which it was dipped operated as a styptic, or a febrifuge, and the amulet possessed several other properties as a medical talisman.

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It is a tonic, antiperiodic, and febrifuge, and is used in medicine as a substitute for quinine.

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It is a powerful febrifuge, and he instructed me to give a dose to the sick men below, and to any others who should feel in any way indisposed.

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Recent experiments tend to show that it is possessed of powerful febrifuge virtues.

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