Pyrexia Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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pyrexia
[pสษชหriหk.sษชษ ]
Definition
Context #1 | Noun
medical term
Pyrexia is a condition characterized by an abnormal elevation of body temperature, typically due to illness. It is commonly known as fever.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| pyrexia |
Medical or clinical settings
|
| fever |
Everyday conversation and common language
|
Examples of usage
- The patient presented with pyrexia of unknown origin.
- She developed pyrexia after contracting a viral infection.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Medical Insights
- Fever is typically a sign that the body is fighting an infection or illness.
- Normal body temperature is around 98.6ยฐF; pyrexia can start at 100.4ยฐF.
- Doctors often use fever as a diagnostic tool to determine the underlying cause of illness.
Cultural Perception
- In many cultures, fevers have been associated with spiritual cleansing or transformative experiences.
- Certain traditional medicine practices utilize fever as an opportunity for the body to detoxify.
Science
- The hypothalamus in the brain regulates body temperature and can raise it in response to pathogens.
- Pyrexia can be influenced by factors like exercise, time of day, and hormonal cycles.
Literature
- In literature, characters experiencing pyrexia often symbolize internal conflict or personal struggle.
- Fever sometimes represents a turning point in a characterโs journey, showing transformation or awakening.
Origin of 'pyrexia'
Main points about word origin
- The term comes from the Greek word 'pyrexia', meaning heat or fever.
- The prefix 'pyro-' often relates to heat, seen in words like 'pyrotechnics', which involves fire.
The word 'pyrexia' originates from the Greek word 'pyr', meaning fire or fever. It has been used in medical terminology for centuries to describe the condition of elevated body temperature. The concept of pyrexia has been studied and documented extensively in the field of medicine.