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Dictionary Language resources

dengue

Syllabification: (den·gue)

Pronunciation: /ˈdeNGgē, -gā/

(also dengue fever)

Definition of dengue

noun

a debilitating viral disease of the tropics, transmitted by mosquitoes, and causing sudden fever and acute pains in the joints.

Origin:

early 19th century: from West Indian Spanish, from Kiswahili dinga (in full kidingapopo), influenced by Spanish dengue 'fastidiousness' (with reference to the dislike of movement by affected patients)