delirium

Where does the word "delirium" come from? It comes from Latin delirare, passing through Latin before entering English (1590s).

Delirium’s story begins in Latin: delirare meant “to deviate from a straight furrow, to rave.” To deviate from a straight furrow, to be crazy, from de- (from) and lira (furrow). Within Latin, it grew into delirium by ancient. Formed as a noun for a state of wild, confused excitement. It reached English by 1590s as delirium. From Latin 'de lira', off the furrow, like a ploughman straying from the line. Today, delirium means an acutely disturbed state of mind marked by confusion and restlessness.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient delirare "to deviate from a straight furrow, to rave", to deviate from a straight furrow, to be crazy, from de- (from) and lira (furrow).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient delirium "a state of wild, confused excitement", formed as a noun for a state of wild, confused excitement.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1590s delirium "a disturbed state of mind involving confusion and restlessness", from Latin 'de lira', off the furrow, like a ploughman straying from the line.