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vertiginous

 - 5 dictionary results

ver⋅tig⋅i⋅nous

  [ver-tij-uh-nuhs]
Use vertiginous in a Sentence
–adjective
1. whirling; spinning; rotary: vertiginous currents of air.
2. affected with vertigo; dizzy.
3. liable or threatening to cause vertigo: a vertiginous climb.
4. apt to change quickly; unstable: a vertiginous economy.
Origin:
1600–10; < L vertīginōsus dizzy, equiv. to vertīgin- (s. of vertīgō) vertigo + -ōsus -ous

Related forms:
ver⋅tig⋅i⋅nous⋅ly, adverb
ver⋅tig⋅i⋅nous⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To vertiginous
ver·tig·i·nous   (vər-tĭj'ə-nəs)   
adj.  

  1. Turning about an axis; revolving or whirling.

  2. Affected by vertigo; dizzy. See Synonyms at giddy.

  3. Tending to produce vertigo: "my small mind contained in earthly human limits, not lost in vertiginous space and elements unknown" (Diana Cooper).

  4. Inclined to change quickly; unstable.


[From Latin vertīgō, vertīgin-, a whirling, from vertere, to turn; see version.]
ver·tig'i·nous·ly adv., ver·tig'i·nous·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

vertiginous 
1608, "of the nature of vertigo," from Fr. vertigineux, from L. vertiginosus "suffering from dizziness," from vertigo (see vertigo).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ver·tig·i·nous
Pronunciation: (")v&r-'tij-&-n&s
Function: adjective
: of, relating to, characterized by, oraffected with vertigo or dizziness
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

vertiginous ver·tig·i·nous (vər-tĭj'ə-nəs)
adj.

  1. Affected by vertigo; dizzy.

  2. Tending to produce vertigo.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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