Fever

n. [A.-S. fefer, Fr. fièvre, Pr. & Pg. fébre, Sp. fiebre, It. febbre, Lat. febris, probably a transposition of febris, from fervere, to be hot, to boil, glow.]

1Sense 1. (Med.) A diseased state of the system, marked by increased heat, acceleration of the pulse, and a general derangement of the functions. Many diseases, of which fever is the most prominent symptom, are denominated fevers; as, typhoid fever; yellow fever.

Remitting fevers subside or abate at intervals; intermitting fevers remit or entirely cease at intervals; and continued or continual fevers neither remit nor intermit.

2Sense 2. Unnatural or excessive excitement of the passions in consequence of strong emotion; strong excitement of any kind; a season of great excitement; as, this quarrel has set my blood in a fever.

An envious fever Of pale and bloodless emulation. Shak.

After life's fitful fever he sleeps well. Shak.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. FEVERED; p. pr. & vb. n. FEVERING.] To put into a fever; to affect with fever; as, a fevered lip.

Henceforth the white hand of a lady fever thee. Shak.