Fever

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈfiːvÉ™/
• GenAm IPA: /ˈfiːvÉš/
• Rhymes: -iːvÉ™(r)
• Hyphenation: fe + ver

Alternative forms

• fevre obsolete, rare

Origin

From Middle English, from Old French fievre, reinforced by native Old English fēfor, from Latin febris ("a fever"), from ferveō ("to be hot, burn, boil"); or perhaps literally 'a trembling', akin to Greek φέβεσθαι (febesthai, "to flee affrighted"), φόβος (phobos, "flight, panic fear, fear, terror").

Full definition of fever

Noun

1. A higher than normal body temperature of a person (or, generally, a mammal), usually caused by disease."I have a fever. I think I've caught a cold."
2. (usually in combination with one or more preceding words) Any of various diseases.scarlet fever
3. A state of excitement (of a person or people).
• Shakespearean envious fever
4. A group of stingrays.

Synonyms

• higher than normal body temperature: high temperature

• state of excitement: excitation, excitement, passion

Derived terms

Related terms

• fervent
• fervid
• fervor

Verb

1. To put into a fever; to affect with fever.a fevered lipThe white hand of a lady fever thee. — Shakespeare.