delirium

[ dih-leer-ee-uh m ]
/ dɪˈlɪər i əm /

noun, plural de·lir·i·ums, de·lir·i·a [dih-leer-ee-uh] /dɪˈlɪər i ə/.

Pathology. a more or less temporary disorder of the mental faculties, as in fevers, disturbances of consciousness, or intoxication, characterized by restlessness, excitement, delusions, hallucinations, etc.
a state of violent excitement or emotion.

Origin of delirium

1590–1600; < Latin dēlīrium frenzy, equivalent to dēlīr(āre) (see deliration) + -ium -ium

OTHER WORDS FROM delirium

sem·i·de·lir·i·um, noun

Example sentences from the Web for delirium

British Dictionary definitions for delirium

delirium
/ (dɪˈlɪrɪəm) /

noun plural -liriums or -liria (-ˈlɪrɪə)

a state of excitement and mental confusion, often accompanied by hallucinations, caused by high fever, poisoning, brain injury, etc
violent excitement or emotion; frenzy

Derived forms of delirium

deliriant, adjective

Word Origin for delirium

C16: from Latin: madness, from dēlīrāre, literally: to swerve from a furrow, hence be crazy, from de- + līra ridge, furrow

Medical definitions for delirium

delirium
[ dĭ-lîrē-əm ]

n. pl. de•lir•i•ums

A temporary state of mental confusion resulting from high fever, intoxication, shock, or other causes, and characterized by anxiety, disorientation, memory impairment, hallucinations, trembling, and incoherent speech.