febrifuge

[ feb-ruh-fyooj ]

/ ˈfɛb rəˌfyudʒ /

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adjective

serving to dispel or reduce fever, as a medicine.

noun

such a medicine or agent.

a cooling drink.

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Origin of febrifuge

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

Words nearby febrifuge

febricula, febrifacient, febriferous, febrific, febrifugal, febrifuge, febrile, febrile convulsion, febris, February, February Revolution

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use febrifuge in a sentence

Said by M. Thoriel to possess considerable power as a febrifuge.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I|Arnold Cooley
These compounds had a very surprising febrifuge action, without any unpleasant after effects or local disturbances.
Scientific American Supplement, No. 415, December 15, 1883|Various
And in order to cure it,” said Spilett to Cyrus Harding, “we need a febrifuge.
The Secret of the Island|W.H.G. Kingston (translation from Jules Verne)
If before to-morrow morning we have not given him a more energetic febrifuge,” said the reporter, “Herbert will be dead.
The Secret of the Island|W.H.G. Kingston (translation from Jules Verne)

The water in which it was dipped operated as a styptic, as a febrifuge, and possessed other properties as a medical talisman.
The Talisman|Sir Walter Scott

British Dictionary definitions for febrifuge

febrifuge

/ (ˈfɛbrɪˌfjuːdʒ) /

noun

any drug or agent for reducing fever

adjective

serving to reduce fever

Derived forms of febrifuge

febrifugal (fɪˈbrɪfjʊɡəl, ˌfɛbrɪˈfjuːɡəl), adjective

Word Origin for febrifuge

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

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

Medical definitions for febrifuge

febrifuge

[ fĕb′rə-fyōōj′ ]

An agent that acts to reduce a fever; an antipyretic.

adj.

Acting to reduce fever.