Fe"ver (?), n. [OE. fever, fefer, AS. fefer, fefor, L. febris: cf. F. fievre. Cf. Febrile.]
1. Med.
A diseased state of the system, marked by increased heat, acceleration of the pulse, and a general derangement of the functions, including usually, thirst and loss of appetite. 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 intermit or entirely cease at intervals; continued or continual fevers neither remit nor intermit.
2.
Excessive excitement of the passions in consequence of strong emotion; a condition 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.
Brain fever, Continued fever, etc. See under Brain, Continued, etc. -- Fever and ague, a form of fever recurring in paroxysms which are preceded by chills. It is of malarial origin. -- Fever blister Med., a blister or vesicle often found about the mouth in febrile states; a variety of herpes. -- Fever bush Bot., the wild allspice or spice bush. See Spicewood. -- Fever powder. Same as Jame's powder. -- Fever root Bot., an American herb of the genus Triosteum (T. perfoliatum); -- called also feverwort amd horse gentian. -- Fever sore, a carious ulcer or necrosis. Miner.
© Webster 1913.
Fe"ver, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fevered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Fevering.]
To put into a fever; to affect with fever; as, a fevered lip.
[R.]
The white hand of a lady fever thee.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.