Hypertext Webster Gateway: "delirium"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Delirium \De*lir"i*um\, n. [L., fr. delirare to rave, to wander
in mind, prop., to go out of the furrow in plowing; de- +
lira furrow, track; perh. akin to G. geleise track, rut, and
E. last to endure.]
1. (Med.) A state in which the thoughts, expressions, and
actions are wild, irregular, and incoherent; mental
aberration; a roving or wandering of the mind, -- usually
dependent on a fever or some other disease, and so
distinguished from mania, or madness.
2. Strong excitement; wild enthusiasm; madness.
The popular delirium [of the French Revolution] at
first caught his enthusiastic mind. --W. Irving.
The delirium of the preceding session (of
Parliament). --Morley.
{Delirium tremens}. [L., trembling delirium] (Med.), a
violent delirium induced by the excessive and prolonged
use of intoxicating liquors.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
delirium
n 1: state of violent mental agitation [syn: {craze}, {frenzy}, {fury},
{hysteria}]
2: a usually brief state of excitement and mental confusion
often accompanied by hallucinations
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