hives

[ hahyvz ]
See synonyms for hives on Thesaurus.com
noun(used with a singular or plural verb)Pathology.
  1. any of various eruptive conditions of the skin, as the wheals of urticaria.

Origin of hives

1
First recorded in 1490–1500; originally Scots; of obscure origin

Words Nearby hives

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use hives in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for hives

hives

/ (haɪvz) /


noun
  1. (functioning as singular or plural) pathol a nontechnical name for urticaria

Origin of hives

1
C16: of uncertain origin

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

Scientific definitions for hives

hives

[ hīvz ]


  1. A skin condition characterized by transient, itching welts, usually resulting from an allergic reaction.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for hives

hives

A condition characterized by the sudden appearance of red, raised areas on the skin that itch severely. Hives may be caused by an allergic reaction (see allergy) to foods or other substances.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.