EXACERBA'TION, noun The act of exasperating; the irritation of angry or malignant passions or qualities; increase of malignity.

1. Among physicians, the increased violence of a disease; hence, a paroxysm, as in the return of an intermitting fever.

This term is more generally restricted to the periodical increase of remittent and continued fevers, where there is no absolute cessation of the fever.

2. Increased severity; as violent exacerbations of punishment. [Unusual.]