حُمّى

, (S, K, &c.,) a subst. from حُمّ, (Lh, L, K,) imperfectly decl., because of the feminine alif [which terminates it], (Msb,) A fever; a disease by which the body becomes hot: from الحَمِيمُ: said to be so called because of the excessive heat; whence the tradition, الحُمَّى مِنْ فَيْحِ جَهَنَّمَ [Fever is from the exhalation of Hell]: or because of the sweat that occurs in it: or because it is of the signs of الحِمَام [i. e. the decreed, or predestined, case of death]; for they say, الحُمَّى رَايءِدُ المَوْتِ [Fever is the messenger that precedes death], or بَرِيدُ المَوْتِ [the messenger of death], or بَابُ المَوْتِ [the gate of death]: (TA:) and ↓ حُمَّةٌ signifies the same: (K, TA:) plural of the former حُمَّيَاتٌ. (Msb.)