Fever

//ˈfiːvə// noun, verb, slang

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A higher than normal body temperature of a person (or, generally, a mammal), usually caused by disease. countable, uncountable

    "There has been a rise in my fever. I think I've the flu."

  2. 2
    a state of nervous excitement wordnet
  3. 3
    Any of various diseases. countable, in-compounds, uncountable, usually

    "scarlet fever"

  4. 4
    a rise in the temperature of the body; frequently a symptom of infection wordnet
  5. 5
    A state of excitement or anxiety. countable, uncountable

    "an envious fever"

Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    A group of stingrays. countable, neologism, uncountable

    "On the way back to the mainland the boat passed over a fever of stingrays, and the sight of them through the glass was enough to colour everything else, and outstrip it."

  2. 7
    Sexual attraction towards a specific group of people. countable, derogatory, in-compounds, often, slang, uncountable

    "Asian fever"

Verb
  1. 1
    To put into a fever; to affect with fever.

    "a fevered lip"

  2. 2
    To become fevered.

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English fever, fevere, from Old English fefer, fefor (“fever”) and Old French fievre (“fever”), from Latin febris (“a fever”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰegʷʰ- (“to burn”). Replaced native Old English hriþ (“fever”). Compare also Saterland Frisian Fiewer, German Fieber, Danish feber, Swedish feber.

Etymology 2

From Middle English fever, fevere, from Old English fefer, fefor (“fever”) and Old French fievre (“fever”), from Latin febris (“a fever”), from Proto-Indo-European *dʰegʷʰ- (“to burn”). Replaced native Old English hriþ (“fever”). Compare also Saterland Frisian Fiewer, German Fieber, Danish feber, Swedish feber.

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