DELIRIUM

delirium

(noun) a usually brief state of excitement and mental confusion often accompanied by hallucinations

craze, delirium, frenzy, fury, hysteria

(noun) state of violent mental agitation

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

delirium (countable and uncountable, plural deliriums or deliria)

A temporary mental state with a sudden onset, usually reversible, including symptoms of confusion, inability to concentrate, disorientation, anxiety, and sometimes hallucinations. Causes can include dehydration, drug intoxication, and severe infection.

Source: Wiktionary

De*lir"i*um, n. Etym: [L., fr. delirare to rave, to wander in mind, prop., to go out of the furrow in plowing; de- + lira furrow, track; perh. akin to G. geleise track, rut, and E. last to endure.]

1. (Med.)

Definition: A state in which the thoughts, expressions, and actions are wild, irregular, and incoherent; mental aberration; a roving or wandering of the mind, -- usually dependent on a fever or some other disease, and so distinguished from mania, or madness.

2. Strong excitement; wild enthusiasm; madness. The popular delirium [of the French Revolution] at first caught his enthusiastic mind. W. Irving. The delirium of the preceding session (of Parliament). Motley. Delirium tremens (. Etym: [L., trembling delirium] (Med.), a violent delirium induced by the excessive and prolonged use of intoxicating liquors.

– Traumatic delirium (Med.), a variety of delirium following injury.

Syn.

– Insanity; frenzy; madness; derangement; aberration; mania; lunacy; fury. See Insanity.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition