fever

American  

[fee-ver] / ˈfi vər /

noun

1. an abnormal condition of the body, characterized by undue rise in temperature, quickening of the pulse, and disturbance of various body functions.

2. an abnormally high body temperature.

3. the number of degrees of such a temperature above the normal.

4. any of a group of diseases in which high temperature is a prominent symptom.

   scarlet fever.

5. intense nervous excitement.

   The audience was in a fever of anticipation.

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verb (used with object)

1. to affect with or as with fever.

   The excitement fevered him.

fever British  

/ ˈfiːvə /

noun

1. an abnormally high body temperature, accompanied by a fast pulse rate, dry skin, etc

2. any of various diseases, such as yellow fever or scarlet fever, characterized by a high temperature

3. intense nervous excitement or agitation

   she was in a fever about her party

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verb

1. (tr) to affect with or as if with fever

fever Scientific  

/ fē′vər /

1. A body temperature that is higher than normal. Fever is the body's natural response to the release of substances called pyrogens by infectious agents such as bacteria and viruses. The pyrogens stimulate the hypothalamus in the brain to conserve heat and increase the basal metabolic rate.

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fever Idioms  

1. see cabin fever; run a fever.

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Other Word Forms

• fevered adjective
• feverless adjective
• unfevered adjective

Etymology

Origin of fever

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English fefer, from Latin febr-, stem of febris; reinforced by Anglo-French fevre, Old French fievre, from Latin, as above

Example Sentences

Those marketing campaigns go beyond social media posts to keep anticipation at a fever pitch and actively engage the fandom while also attracting new viewers.

From Los Angeles Times

The island has experienced a widespread outbreak of mosquito-borne diseases in recent weeks with huge numbers of people affected by dengue fever and chikungunya.

From BBC

Children often feel unwell for several days, with a fever and muscle aches.

From BBC

It’s the final days before the Alamo Bowl, the last gasps of USC’s football season, and Rock Hanson is still getting over a fever.

From Los Angeles Times

That data measures illnesses that include a fever and a cough or sore throat, which should capture the flu but may also include other pathogens.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• delirium
• frenzy
• turmoil