Fevers

/ˈfɛvərz/ noun

Definition

Abnormally high body temperatures, usually as a sign of illness; plural of fever.

Etymology

From Latin 'febris', possibly related to Sanskrit 'dapati' (it burns). The word appears in Old English and has remained virtually unchanged for over a thousand years.

Kelly Says

Fever was so mysterious in ancient times that it was attributed to demons and spirits—we kept the word even after germ theory explained what was really happening.

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