calenture

/ˈkælənˌtʃʊr/
noun
  1. A fever or delirium, especially one caused by heat or tropical sun, often characterized by hallucinations or a desire to jump into the sea.
    • The sailor, suffering from calenture, imagined the ocean was a green field and tried to leap overboard.
    • The doctor diagnosed the patient with calenture after he began raving about cool water.
    • In the intense heat of the tropics, many explorers feared the onset of calenture.
  2. A figurative fever or intense, irrational excitement, especially in a group or society.
    • During the political crisis, a calenture of fear and anger swept through the population.
    • The team's calenture of optimism faded after their star player was injured.
    • The stock market seemed gripped by a calenture, with investors making wild, irrational trades.
What does "calenture" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean