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delirium definition

de·lir·ium (di lir′ē əm)

noun pl. deliriums -·i·ums or deliria -·ia (-ə)

  1. a temporary state of extreme mental excitement, marked by restlessness, confused speech, and hallucinations: it sometimes occurs during a fever or in some forms of insanity
  2. uncontrollably wild excitement or emotion a delirium of joy

Etymology: L, madness < delirare, to rave, lit., to turn the furrow awry in plowing < de-, from + lira, a line, furrow: see list

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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