delirium tremens

[ dih-leer-ee-uhm tree-muhnz, -menz ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a withdrawal syndrome occurring in persons who have developed physiological dependence on alcohol, characterized by tremor, visual hallucinations, and autonomic instability. : d.t.

delirium tremens

/ ˈtriː-; ˈtrɛmɛnz /

noun

1. a severe psychotic condition occurring in some persons with chronic alcoholism, characterized by delirium, tremor, anxiety, and vivid hallucinations AbbreviationdtinformalDT's

delirium tremens

/ dĭ-lîr′ē-əmtrē′mənz /

1. An acute, sometimes fatal episode of delirium that is usually caused by withdrawal or abstinence from alcohol following habitual excessive drinking or an episode of heavy alcohol consumption. It is characterized by trembling, sweating, acute anxiety, confusion, and hallucinations.

Word History and Origins

Origin of delirium tremens¹

First recorded in 1813; from New Latin: “trembling delirium”

Word History and Origins

Origin of delirium tremens¹

C19: New Latin, literally: trembling delirium

Example Sentences

Saying that delirium tremens, which is often fatal, can result from missing baseball or that video of old games is like methadone, a horrid drug, was cruel.

From Washington Post

Now you are suffering something akin to delirium tremens.

From Washington Post

I sat with her through her delirium tremens, and held her hand, or kept my hand on her arm, while she shook.

From The New Yorker

Instead of sobering up, he started to get delirium tremens.

From Literature

By the end, he’s shed his expensive suit for his underwear and a ratty blanket, shivering in ways that equally suggest delirium tremens and mortal terror.

From New York Times