hay fever

noun

, Pathology.

1. a type of allergic rhinitis affecting the mucous membranes of the eyes and respiratory tract, affecting susceptible persons usually during the summer, caused by pollen of ragweed and certain other plants.

hay fever

noun

1. an allergic reaction to pollen, dust, etc, characterized by sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes due to inflammation of the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose Technical namesallergic rhinitispollinosis

hay fever

/ hā /

1. An seasonal allergic condition characterized by a sensitivity to airborne pollen, resulting in nasal discharge, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes. It occurs especially during late spring, late summer, and early fall and can be caused by the pollens of various plants, especially ragweed and certain trees and grasses.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hay fever¹

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

Despite growing up with hay fever, he spent much of his childhood outdoors with his mother, a rare fisherwoman in an age when most anglers were men.

From Washington Post

Another thought that his attraction to sneezing men stemmed from having hay fever as a boy.

From The Daily Beast

For completeness, one must also consider the large group of people—the hay-fever crowd—who are allergic to mold.

From The Daily Beast

And with Aspergillus, the environment is key: Aspergillus is a ubiquitous airborne mold that can cause allergies and hay fever.

From The Daily Beast

Recent research shows that just being outside improves your health, at least for those without debilitating hay fever.

From The Daily Beast

For many years the fluid extract of rosin-weed has been known in my family as a remedy for rose-cold and hay fever.

From Project Gutenberg

In hay fever, the itching and redness of the eyes, nose, and throat are controlled from a sensitive point in the naso-pharynx.

From Project Gutenberg

Note that I did not say that simply spraying this solution in the nose and throat will cure hay fever.

From Project Gutenberg

It was from none of these that I stumbled on the fact that faradic electricity would cure hay fever.

From Project Gutenberg

The symptoms of hay fever resemble those of catarrhal inflammation, but the resemblance is only superficial.

From Project Gutenberg