Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun plural A rash characterized by intensely itching welts, triggered by the release of histamine and caused by an allergic response to any of multiple agents or conditions, including food, drugs, and infections.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun Laryngitis.
  • noun Urticaria and (loosely) other skin affections. See urticaria.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun The croup.
  • noun An eruptive disease (Varicella globularis), allied to the chicken pox.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Itchy, swollen, red areas of the skin which can appear quickly in response to an allergen or due to other conditions.
  • noun Plural form of hive.
  • verb Third-person singular simple present indicative form of hive.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun an itchy skin eruption characterized by weals with pale interiors and well-defined red margins; usually the result of an allergic response to insect bites or food or drugs

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Origin unknown.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

This definition is lacking an etymology or has an incomplete etymology. You can help Wiktionary by giving it a proper etymology.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

See hive

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Examples

  • For those of you who break out in hives at the thought of learning a new markup language, try LyX, I've heard wonderful feedback about it.

    Adventures in LaTeX HayleyM 2009

  • The second time I had broken out in hives from liquid soap over there, so I needed to go to a clinic to have it taken care of.

    Think Progress » Bachmann Suggests Critics Of Health Care Reform Will Be Put On A ‘List’ And Denied Treatment 2010

  • For those of you who break out in hives at the thought of learning a new markup language, try LyX, I've heard wonderful feedback about it.

    Archive 2009-02-01 HayleyM 2009

  • A concern with hives is that they can get into your throat, making it difficult to breathe.

    DAY 16: It Wouldn’t Be Vacation Without a Trip to the E.R.! 2009

  • I'm sure The Simpsons is pure genius, just as I'm sure cats can be loving and loyal and my girlfriend's perfume was sexy and alluring, but I'll never get to enjoy it because as soon as I see it or hear it or even think about it I break out in hives and start sneezing.

    This bad dad needs to kick back with a few Duff beers 2008

  • I'm sure The Simpsons is pure genius, just as I'm sure cats can be loving and loyal and my girlfriend's perfume was sexy and alluring, but I'll never get to enjoy it because as soon as I see it or hear it or even think about it I break out in hives and start sneezing.

    Lance Mannion: 2008

  • I, unfortunately, have the fashion sense of a gnat, and break out in hives at the mere thought of anything that doesn't allow me to wear a pair of jeans, boots and a black shirt.

    Writers' Style 2008

  • He had an allergic reaction and broke out in hives along with being itchy.

    Hollywood Dame » Blog Archive » Jayden James Fine After Hospital Emergency 2008

  • I just became allergic 3 months ago, I break out in hives if I eat it now.

    Website Updates & Reader Interview: Amy B Nalini Singh 2008

  • I'm still occasionally breaking out in hives after eating (in the late evening, mostly), but have lost many of the other symptoms and am feeling much better (just grumpy: no Entemann's crumb donuts, no pepperidge farm oatmeal raisin cookies, no bagels, no etc.)

    Breakfast in Bed desayunoencama 2008

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