rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryfebrileFever
adjective

febrile

FEE-brile/ˈfiːbraɪl/

Affected by fever.

The febrile adult rests with flushed cheeks and a thermometer showing high temperature.

An adult with flushed cheeks rests while holding a digital thermometer whose display is a simple high red indicator rather than a treatment recommendation; fever-associated state, no diagnostic claim.
Etymology
febrLatinfever
+ileLatinpertaining to

Latin febris, “fever,” is related to fovere, “to warm.” The adjective connects that bodily heat with the medical sense of having or being associated with fever.

In context

National Surgical Teaching Society37:09
in that scenario where you've had two bleeps going to see the patient that's got low blood pressure that's febrile is much more important
How to Survive your Surgical On-Call | 1. All about the bleep

More examples

  • He remains febrile despite taking medicine to lower his temperature.
  • The doctor examines a febrile infant for signs of infection.
  • She feels better today but is still febrile.

Forms

febrile

afebrile adjective — Not affected by or showing fever.

Similar words

feverish
More common in everyday speech; can describe feeling unusually hot.
fevered
Often describes heightened emotion rather than an actual fever.