puerperal fever

/pjuˌʌrpərəl ˌfivər/
IPA guide

Other forms: puerperal fevers

Definitions of puerperal fever
  1. noun
    serious form of septicemia contracted by a woman during childbirth or abortion (usually attributable to unsanitary conditions); formerly widespread but now uncommon
    synonyms: childbed fever
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    type of:
    blood poisoning, septicaemia, septicemia
    invasion of the bloodstream by virulent microorganisms from a focus of infection
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