breakbone fever

[ breyk-bohn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Pathology.

breakbone fever

/ ˈbreɪkˌbəʊn /

1860–65; break + bone, so called because it makes the bones ache as if breaking at the joints

Commonplaces of gossip followed this—county politics and a neighbor's wife sick of breakbone fever down the road a piece.

Commonplaces of gossip followed this—county politics, and a neighbor's wife sick of breakbone fever down the road a piece.

April 25, 2024firkin

[fur-kin ]

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Browse