Definition

Describing a condition that has periods of improvement followed by worsening, often used in relation to diseases or fevers.

Example

The patient experienced remittent symptoms, with days of feeling better followed by days of increased discomfort.

Conversation

Hey, how's your brother feeling after that fever he had?

He's doing a bit better now, but it was a remittent fever for a while.

That's good to hear, but those kinds of fevers can be really tricky.

Yeah, they keep coming and going, which makes it hard to know when he's really okay.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Remittent → It is formed from "re-" (meaning again) and "mittere" (meaning to send). The word describes something that sends back or returns again, often used in a medical context to refer to symptoms that come and go.

Memory Tip

Think of something that 'sends back' ('re-') again ('mittere') — that's why remittent refers to symptoms that return periodically.

Visually Confused Words