antepyretic
|an-te-py-re-tic|
/ˌæn.ti.pɪˈrɛtɪk/
before fever / prevents fever
Etymology
'antepyretic' originates from a modern medical formation combining Latin and Greek elements: specifically Latin 'ante' where 'ante-' meant 'before' and Greek 'pyretikos' (from 'pyretos') where 'pyretos' meant 'fever'.
'antepyretic' was formed by analogy with 'antipyretic' (from Greek 'anti-' meaning 'against' + 'pyretikos'), adapting 'ante-' to convey 'before' rather than 'anti-'; it is a modern English medical coinage rather than a classical inherited compound.
Initially it literally conveyed 'before fever'; in medical usage it has come to be used both for 'preventing fever' and for 'occurring before fever' (two related senses remain in use).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
preventing or intended to prevent fever; having properties that ward off or inhibit the development of fever.
An antepyretic medication may be administered to at-risk patients to help prevent fever.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
occurring before the onset of fever; preceding a febrile episode (e.g., early or prodromal signs appearing prior to a rise in body temperature).
Antepyretic symptoms such as malaise and chills often appear before the temperature rises.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/22 20:25