febrifuge

[ feb-ruh-fyooj ]

/ ˈfɛb rəˌfyudʒ /

adjective

serving to dispel or reduce fever, as a medicine.

noun

such a medicine or agent.

a cooling drink.

Nearby words

Origin of febrifuge

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

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

Examples from the Web for febrifuge

I was taking a febrifuge draught, prepared by maternal caution and family pride.
Four Years in France|Henry Digby Beste
The bark of different species of Eucalyptus has been used in paper-making and tanning, and in medicine as a febrifuge.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 8|Various
It has been much employed in Italy and on the Continent as a febrifuge.
Cooley's Practical Receipts, Volume II|Arnold Cooley
Oh, I can do better than that, friend Dick; for I can give you a febrifuge that won't cost any thing.
Five Weeks in a Balloon|Jules Verne

Its timber is tough, not over heavy, and extensively used already in the island; while its bark is a febrifuge and tonic.
At Last|Charles Kingsley

British Dictionary definitions for febrifuge

febrifuge

/ (ˈfɛbrɪˌfjuːdʒ) /

noun

any drug or agent for reducing fever

adjective

serving to reduce fever

Derived Formsfebrifugal (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

Word Origin and History for febrifuge

febrifuge

1680s, from French fébrifuge, literally "driving fever away," from Latin febris (see fever) + fugare "to put to flight" (see fugitive).

Medicine definitions for febrifuge

febrifuge

[ fĕb′rə-fyōōj′ ]

n.

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

adj.

Acting to reduce fever.