Etymology Map
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Fever

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an abnormally high body temperature

Where does the word "fever" come from? It comes from Latin febris, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
febris
Latin · ancient
"fever"
perhaps related to 'fovere', to warm
2
Stage 2 of 3
fievre
Old French · medieval
"fever"
reinforced an Old English borrowing 'fefor'
3
Stage 3 of 3
fever
English · 1200s
"high temperature"
'fever pitch' dates from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Fever’s story begins in Latin: febris meant “fever.” Perhaps related to 'fovere', to warm. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as fievre. Reinforced an Old English borrowing 'fefor'. It reached English by 1200s as fever. 'fever pitch' dates from the 1900s. Today, fever means an abnormally high body temperature.