hives

[ hahyvz ]

noun

, (used with a singular or plural verb)

1. any of various eruptive conditions of the skin, as the wheals of urticaria.

hives

/ haɪvz /

noun

1. functioning as singular or plural pathol a nontechnical name for urticaria

hives

/ hīvz /

1. A skin condition characterized by transient, itching welts, usually resulting from an allergic reaction.

hives

1. A condition characterized by the sudden appearance of red, raised areas on the skin that itch severely. Hives may be caused by an allergic reaction ( see allergy ) to foods or other substances.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hives¹

First recorded in 1490–1500; originally Scots; of obscure origin

Word History and Origins

Origin of hives¹

C16: of uncertain origin

Example Sentences

The 150 hives that burned represented more than half of the company’s colonies — each of them worth $400 to $500 in equipment alone.

From Los Angeles Times

Then he gently squeezes a bellow, pouring smoke into the hives of honeybees in his garden.

From Salon

Army Physician Joshua R. Simmons, who declared she was in “excellent health” with very few minor health conditions including hives and seasonal allergies.

From Salon

“Just thinking about a driving test makes me break out in hives,” Locarnini said.

From Los Angeles Times

When he became a father for the first time in 2015, he was inspired to try and find the old hives.

From BBC

Related Words

• epidemic
• eruption
• flood
• spate
• wave