delirium
UK: dɪˈlɪəriəm | US: dɪˈlɪriəm
n. a state of wild excitement, confusion, or agitation, often caused by illness or intoxication
n. (psychiatry) an acute mental disturbance characterized by disorientation, hallucinations, or incoherent speech
delirium = de<away> + lir<furrow, track> + ium<noun suffix>
- de (Latin prefix meaning "away" or "from")
- lir (from Latin lira, meaning "furrow" or "track," metaphorically representing a deviation from a clear path of thought)
- ium (Latin noun-forming suffix, often indicating a state or condition)
Etymology Origin:
The word delirium originates from Latin delirare, meaning "to go off the furrow" (from de- "away" + lira "furrow"). This agricultural metaphor evolved to describe a mental state where one’s thoughts "stray from the track" into confusion or incoherence. The term was adopted into medical and psychological contexts to denote acute mental disturbances, retaining its core idea of disorganized cognition.
The patient experienced delirium due to high fever and dehydration.
After days without sleep, he slipped into a state of delirium.
The medication’s side effects included temporary delirium.
Her speech was incoherent, a clear sign of delirium.
The artist described his creative process as a controlled delirium.