febrifuge

American  

[feb-ruh-fyooj] / ˈfɛb rəˌfyudʒ /

adjective

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

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noun

1. such a medicine or agent.

2. a cooling drink.

febrifuge British  

/ fɪˈbrɪfjʊɡəl, ˈfɛbrɪˌfjuːdʒ, ˌfɛbrɪˈfjuːɡəl /

noun

1. any drug or agent for reducing fever

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adjective

1. serving to reduce fever

Other Word Forms

• febrifugal adjective

Etymology

Origin of febrifuge

1680–90; < French < Late Latin febrifugia plant good for curing fever. 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.

From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves" by M.T. Anderson

If the bowels are constipated, calomel, 1 to 3 drams, which acts as a cathartic and a febrifuge, is advisable.

From Special Report on Diseases of Cattle by United States. Bureau of Animal Industry

There are physicians who still use quinine as a febrifuge in typhoid and other essential fevers, and doubtless its bitter taste helps their patients because of the suggestive value of an unpleasant medicine.

From Psychotherapy by Walsh, James J. (James Joseph)

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.

From The Doctor in History, Literature, Folk-Lore, Etc. by Various

By way of an antidote or febrifuge, I am going on at a great rate with my History of the Stevensons, which I hope may prove rather amusing, in some parts at least.

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