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Glite Dictionary
moment of deliquium

moment of deliquium

9.9
A short time when a person is very confused and not thinking clearly
  • noun
  • /ˈmoʊmənt əv dɪˈlɪkwiəm/
  • Archaic
translation icon : momento de delirio
  • The doctor recognized his patient was experiencing a moment of deliquium and called for assistance.

Examples

  • During a moment of deliquium, she could not remember her own name.

  • He wrote the letter in a moment of deliquium, full of wild and confused thoughts.

  • He experienced a moment of deliquium during the intense discussion.

  • After several sleepless nights, she had a moment of deliquium at work.

  • The nurse noted that he was having a moment of deliquium as he spoke incoherently.

  • After the accident, he fell into a moment of deliquium, unable to think clearly.

  • In her moment of deliquium, she forgot the names of her closest friends.

Synonyms

delirium
vsmoment of deliquium
  • Specialized
19 8.5

A confused, excited state of mind with seeing or believing things that are not real

is broader naming a period of mental confusion rather than medical symptoms
disorientation
vsmoment of deliquium
18 6.7

Feeling confused about where you are, who you are, or what is real

is general mental confusion not limited to place or identity questions
discombobulation
vsmoment of deliquium
  • Informal
1 9.8

A feeling of confusion and embarrassment that makes it hard to think

is more serious and often medically linked than mild awkward confusion

Antonyms

clarity
30 2.7

How easy it is to see through something like clean water

lucidity
7 6.0

Clear thinking or speech that is easy to understand

How Confused

psychosis
  • Specialized
52 8.7
delirium
  • Specialized
19 8.5
moment of deliquium
  • Archaic
9.9
confusion
389 1.8

Surface Forms

moment of deliquium singular
moments of deliquium plural

Morphology

moment + of + deliquium

The phrase is compositionally built from 'moment' (a short period) + 'of' (linking noun) + 'deliquium' (temporary unconsciousness/delirium), so its meaning as a brief episode of deliquium is directly derivable from the parts. This follows a very common 'moment of X' noun-phrase pattern found across languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent meanings would readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

The phrase moment of deliquium comes from an old word deliquium that meant 'to melt away' or 'to faint', so imagine your thoughts slipping away for a short time like a light going out. That's why the phrase means a short period of mental confusion or delirium.