fever

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   intense nervous anticipation

   in a fever of resentment

2. 2
   noun

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

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

3. 3
   noun

   Any of various diseases.

   scarlet fever

4. 4
   noun

   A state of excitement or anxiety.

   an envious fever

5. 5
   noun

   A group of stingrays.

   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.

6. 6
   noun

   Sexual attraction towards a specific group of people.

   Asian fever

7. 7
   verb

   To put into a fever; to affect with fever.

   a fevered lip

8. 8
   noun

   a rise in the temperature of the body

Etymology

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”). Displaced native Old English hriþ (“fever”). Compare also Saterland Frisian Fiewer, German Fieber, Danish feber, Swedish feber.