delirious — in a state of mental confusion, typically as a result of fever or intoxication
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: in a state of mental confusion, typically as a result of fever or intoxication
Pronunciation (IPA): /dɪˈlɪriəs/
Example Sentences
- After staying awake for 48 hours straight, he became delirious and started talking to his coffee mug.
- The whole city was delirious with excitement when their team won the championship.
- She was so delirious from the medication that she asked her doctor if he was a talking penguin.
delirious
ADJECTIVE[/dɪˈlɪriəs/]
in a state of mental confusion, typically as a result of fever or intoxication
The fevered patient grew delirious, mumbling about dragons flying around the ceiling.
Delirious visions both mysterious, while the doctor remains serious
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Latin delirium, which combines de- (away, off) and lira (furrow, ridge in a plowed field). The original metaphor compared mental disturbance to a plow going off its straight course in a field, eventually coming to mean 'departing from a normal state of mind'.
Breakdown
de- (away, off) + lira (furrow) + -ous (adjective suffix forming 'characterized by'). The root lira originally referred to the straight furrows made by plowing, with the prefix de- indicating deviation from the proper course.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“After staying awake for 48 hours straight, he became delirious and started talking to his coffee mug.”
“The whole city was delirious with excitement when their team won the championship.”
“She was so delirious from the medication that she asked her doctor if he was a talking penguin.”
“The delirious patient kept insisting that the hospital walls were made of chocolate.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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