delirium

noun de·lir·i·um \di-ˈlir-ē-əm\

: a mental state in which you are confused and not able to think or speak clearly usually because of fever or some other illness

: a state of wild excitement and great happiness

Full Definition of DELIRIUM

: an acute mental disturbance characterized by confused thinking and disrupted attention usually accompanied by disordered speech and hallucinations

: frenzied excitement <he would stride about his room in a delirium of joy — Thomas Wolfe>

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Latin, from delirare to be crazy, literally, to leave the furrow (in plowing), from de- + lira furrow — more at learn

First Known Use: circa 1563

Synonyms: agitation, deliriousness, frenzy, distraction, fever, feverishness, flap, furor, furore, fury, hysteria, rage, rampage, uproar

DELIRIUM Defined for Kids

noun de·lir·i·um \di-ˈlir-ē-əm\

: a condition of mind in which thought and speech are confused usually because of a high fever or other illness

: wild excitement

Medical Dictionary

noun de·lir·i·um \di-ˈlir-ē-əm\

: a mental disturbance characterized by confusion, disordered speech, and hallucinations

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