remittent

adjective

re·​mit·​tent ri-ˈmi-tᵊnt 

of a disease

: marked by alternating periods of abatement and increase of symptoms

remittent fever

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin remittent-, remittens, present participle of remittere "to send back, release, relax, abate" — more at remit entry 1

First Known Use

1693, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

remittent

adjective

re·​mit·​tent ri-ˈmit-ᵊnt 

: marked by alternating periods of abatement and increase of symptoms

remittent fever