delirium tremens

[ tree-muh nz, -menz ]
/ ˈtri mənz, -mɛnz /

noun Pathology.

a withdrawal syndrome occurring in persons who have developed physiological dependence on alcohol, characterized by tremor, visual hallucinations, and autonomic instability. Abbreviation: d.t.
Also called the d.t.'s.

Origin of delirium tremens

1813; < New Latin: trembling delirium

Words nearby delirium tremens

Example sentences from the Web for delirium tremens

  • Poe was attacked with delirium-tremens in Baltimore, and died in a hospital in that city in October, 1849.

    Home Life of Great Authors |Hattie Tyng Griswold

British Dictionary definitions for delirium tremens

delirium tremens
/ (ˈtrɛmɛnz, ˈtriː-) /

noun

a severe psychotic condition occurring in some persons with chronic alcoholism, characterized by delirium, tremor, anxiety, and vivid hallucinations Abbreviation: dt, (informal) DT's

Word Origin for delirium tremens

C19: New Latin, literally: trembling delirium

Medical definitions for delirium tremens

delirium tremens
[ trēmənz ]

n.

An acute, sometimes fatal episode of delirium that is usually caused by withdrawal or abstinence from alcohol following habitual excessive drinking and that is characterized by sweating, trembling, anxiety, confusion, and hallucinations.

Scientific definitions for delirium tremens

delirium tremens
[ dĭ-lîrē-əm trēmənz ]

An acute, sometimes fatal episode of delirium that is usually caused by withdrawal or abstinence from alcohol following habitual excessive drinking or an episode of heavy alcohol consumption. It is characterized by trembling, sweating, acute anxiety, confusion, and hallucinations.