How Do You Spell CALENTURE?

Pronunciation: [kalˈɛnt͡ʃə] (IPA)

The spelling of "calenture" may seem confusing, but it is actually quite straightforward when broken down phonetically. The word is pronounced /kəˈlɛn.tjʊər/ with the primary stress on the second syllable. The 'c' is pronounced as a 'k' sound, the 'a' is pronounced as a short 'uh' sound, the 'l' is pronounced as a 'l' sound, the 'e' is pronounced as a short 'e' sound, the 'n' is pronounced as a 'n' sound, the 't' is pronounced as a 't' sound, the 'u' is pronounced as a 'yoo' sound, and the 'r' is pronounced as a 'r' sound.

CALENTURE Meaning and Definition

1. Calenture is a noun that refers to a rare psychological disorder experienced by sailors during long sea voyages, characterized by a distorted perception of reality. The term can also be used metaphorically to describe a state of extreme feverish excitement or delusion.

   In its traditional use, calenture originates from the Spanish word "calentura," meaning fever or heat, and was believed to affect sailors during the Age of Sail. The disorder was thought to arise from the prolonged exposure to the sun, dehydration, and vitamin deficiencies common during extended sea voyages. Sailors afflicted with calenture would experience vivid hallucinations and delusions, often mistaking the sea for lush green fields and attempting to leap into it, leading to injuries or even death.

   Metaphorically, calenture can describe a state of intense enthusiasm or obsession that leads to irrational behavior or distorted perceptions. It denotes a condition where individuals become so consumed by a particular idea or endeavor that they lose touch with reality. This usage highlights the notion of being captured by an intense passion or desire, to the point where reason and rationality are temporarily discarded.

   In summary, calenture originally described a psychological disorder experienced by sailors, characterized by hallucinations and delusions due to prolonged sea voyages. It can also metaphorically represent a form of feverish excitement, enthusiasm, or obsession that alters one's perception of reality.

2. Calentura.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

3. A violent fever, chiefly affecting sailors in hot climates.

   Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for CALENTURE

• xalenture
• valenture
• falenture
• dalenture
• czlenture
• cslenture
• cwlenture
• cqlenture
• cakenture
• capenture
• caoenture
• calwnture
• calsnture
• caldnture
• calrnture
• cal4nture
• cal3nture
• calebture
• calemture

Etymology of CALENTURE

The word "calenture" comes from the late Middle English term "calenture" or "calentur", which was derived from the Old French word "calenture". The Old French term was a variant of "calentéure", itself derived from the Latin word "calentura". The Latin term "calentura" was a late Latin corruption of "calen-tur", which translates to "hot season" or "fever". "Calen" comes from the Latin word "calere" meaning "to be hot", and "tur" refers to "time" or "season". In the context of the word "calenture", it usually refers to a tropical fever or delirium experienced by sailors on long voyages.

Plural form of CALENTURE is CALENTURES