ague

ague
\ \ [14] In its origins, ague is the same word as acute. It comes from the Latin phrase febris acutasharp fever’ (which found its way into Middle English as fever agu). In the Middle Ages the Latin adjective acuta came to be used on its own as a noun meaning ‘fever’; this became aguē in medieval French, from which it was borrowed into English. From the end of the 14th century ague was used for ‘malaria’ (the word malaria itself did not enter the language until the mid 18th century).
\ \ Cf.ACUTE

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

Игры ⚽ Нужен реферат?
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Ague — A gue, n. [OE. agu, ague, OF. agu, F. aigu, sharp, OF. fem. ague, LL. (febris) acuta, a sharp, acute fever, fr. L. acutus sharp. See {Acute}.] 1. An acute fever. [Obs.] Brenning agues. P. Plowman. [1913 Webster] 2. (Med.) An intermittent fever,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Ague — [ e:gju] das; , <aus gleichbed. engl. ague zu altfr. aguë, dies verkürzt aus (m)lat. febris acuta »heftiges Fieber«> (veraltet) [amerik.] Sumpffieber …   Das große Fremdwörterbuch

  • Ague — A gue, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Agued}.] To strike with an ague, or with a cold fit. Heywood. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • ague — (n.) malarial fever, c.1300, from O.Fr. ague an acute fever, from M.L. (febris) acuta sharp (fever), fem. of acutus sharp (see ACUTE (Cf. acute)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • ague — ague; ague·weed; …   English syllables

  • ague — [ā′gyo͞o΄] n. [ME < OFr ague < ML ( febris) acuta, violent (fever): see ACUTE] 1. a fever, usually malarial, marked by regularly recurring chills 2. a chill; fit of shivering aguish [ā′gyo͞o ish] adj …   English World dictionary

  • ague — ► NOUN archaic 1) malaria or some other illness involving fever and shivering. 2) a fever or shivering fit. ORIGIN from Latin acuta febris acute fever …   English terms dictionary

  • Ague — A fever (such as from malaria) that is marked by paroxysms of chills, fever, and sweating recurring regular intervals. Also a fit of shivering, a chill. Hence, ague can refer to both chills and fevers. Pronounced A ( )gyü with the accent solidly… …   Medical dictionary

  • ague — [14] In its origins, ague is the same word as acute. It comes from the Latin phrase febris acuta ‘sharp fever’ (which found its way into Middle English as fever agu). In the Middle Ages the Latin adjective acuta came to be used on its own as a… …   The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins

  • ague — 1. noun /ˈeɪ.ɡju/ a) An intermittent fever, attended by alternate cold and hot fits. b) The cold fit or rigor of the intermittent fever; as, fever and ague. 2. verb /ˈeɪ.ɡju/ To strike with an ague, or with a cold fit …   Wiktionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”