fever — English Dictionary

Noun

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

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

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

   More examples (1)

   Proper nutrition – and even more important, proper hydration – is crucial in preventing and recovering from both fevers and colds. […] As Abramson explained, when we are sick, whether we have a fever or not, our metabolic rates skyrocket, and our bodies need more calories to support that high metabolic rate.

2. Any of various diseases.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • In compounds
   • Uncountable
   • usually
   • with one or more preceding words

   Examples

   scarlet fever

3. A state of excitement or anxiety.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   an envious fever

   More examples (1)

   There is little doubt that while war fever has not gripped Taipei, its economic foundations are being shaken. The stock market rose yesterday, but only because the Government has pumped $1.5 billion (£1 billion) into it after $370 million was drained from banks, and stocks were sold by investors who are worried by the Chinese manoeuvres.

4. A group of stingrays.

   Usage

   • collective
   • Countable
   • neologism

   Examples

   More examples (2)

   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.

   They move like thoughts, like memory, like a Wes Anderson diorama of earthly delights: lionfish, an albacore, a fever of stingrays—and then like a wound, a sea turtle at eye level.

   She threw up her hands in excitement and the ball of water flew right into the pathway of the fever of stingrays.

5. Sexual attraction towards a specific group of people.

   Usage

   • Countable
   • Derogatory
   • In compounds
   • often
   • Slang
   • Uncountable

   Examples

   Asian fever

   clown fever

   More examples (2)

   white fever

   blue fever

Verb

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

   Examples

   a fevered lip

   the white hand of a lady fever thee

2. To become fevered.

Noun

1. a rise in the temperature of the body; frequently a symptom of infection

   Synonyms

   febrilityfebricitypyrexiafeverishness

   Broader terms

   symptom

2. a state of nervous excitement

   Broader terms

   excitementexcitationinflammationfervorfervour

   Examples

   in a fever of resentment