3 syllables: Py, rex, ia. Stress on rex.
peye-REK-see-uh
/paɪˈɹɛk.si.ə/
Pyrexia is pronounced peye-REK-see-uh (/paɪˈɹɛk.si.ə/). It has three syllables (Py-rex-ia), with the stress on "rex". Pyrexia is a medical term meaning fever, an abnormal elevation of body temperature. It is used primarily in clinical contexts to describe fever of various etiologies, distinct from hyperthermia. The word is rarely used in casual conversation but appears in medical reports and literature to denote elevated core temperature.
nounPyrexia is a medical term meaning fever, an abnormal elevation of body temperature. It is used primarily in clinical contexts to describe fever of various etiologies, distinct from hyperthermia. The word is rarely used in casual conversation but appears in medical reports and literature to denote elevated core temperature.
Tip: practice slowly, then speed up while maintaining distinct consonant releases and a stable rhyme for the second syllable.
"The patient presented with pyrexia and a rapid pulse."
"Low-grade pyrexia resolved after antiviral treatment."
"Fever and chills accompanied by pyrexia indicated potential infection."
Pronounce as /paɪˈrɛk.si.ə/. Stress falls on the second syllable: pa-RÉK-si-a. Start with the /paɪ/ like ‘pi’ in pirate, then /ˈrɛk/ with a crisp /k/ followed by /si/ and ending with /ə/. Practicing slowly helps; you’ll naturally quicken into a clinical flow. IPA provided for precision, and listen to medical diction examples for reference.
Common errors include flattening the second syllable stress (pa-REK-si-a), misplacing the /ɹ/ or softening /r/ into a vowel, and mispronouncing the final /sia/ as /si.a/ with a tacked vowel. Correct approach: keep the /r/ clearly tinted, avoid vowel reduction in the second syllable, and pronounce /si.ə/ as two distinct sounds. Listening to medical pronunciation samples helps you hear the proper /ˈrɛk/ cluster and the lighter final /ə/.
In US/UK/AU, the core segments remain /paɪˈrɛk.si.ə/. Rhoticity matters: US tends to offer a more pronounced /r/ in the /ˈrɛk/ segment; UK and AU often have a softer /r/ coloring. Vowel quality in /aɪ/ may be slightly tenser in US; /ˈrɛk/ can be shorter in non-rhotic British accents, with /si/ approaching a clear /si/ rather than /sɪ/. Maintain the stress on the second syllable across all variants.
Difficulties stem from the multi-syllabic rhythm and the unusual cluster /ˈrɛk.si/ following a high front diphthong /aɪ/. The sequence /rɛk/ demands a crisp /k/ release after a strong /r/, and the trailing /siə/ requires careful articulation of the schwa before a pure /ə/ end. Non-native speakers often soften /ɹ/ or misplace the primary stress. Focus on the distinct syllabic boundaries and the crisp /k/ release.
A distinctive feature is the unambiguous, two-consonant onset in the second syllable: /rɛk/. Emphasizing the /k/ release followed by /si/ avoids blending into /siə/ too early. The final syllable is a short, unstressed /ə/, not a full syllable. Keeping the /ɹ/ clear before /ɛk/ prevents a common slurred transition. IPA guidance helps you tune the exact mouth shapes for each segment.
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Pyrexia derives from the Greek word πυρεξία (pyreksía), from πυρέξ (pyreks) meaning fever or heat, related to the root πυρ (pyr, 'fire'). The term entered medical English in the 17th–18th centuries as European physicians systematized nomenclature for fever states. The -ia suffix marks a condition or state in medical terminology. The word’s first known uses appear in Latinized form pyrexia in early medical texts, aligning with other Greek-derived fever terms such as pyretic. Over time, pyrexia has maintained its place in clinical vocabulary, often contrasted with other fever descriptors like pyrexial vs. febrile, and remains a formal, non-colloquial term used in case reports and examinations. In modern usage, pyrexia is a precise diagnostic label rather than a generic symptom, highlighting elevated core temperature as a measurable clinical finding.
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Words that rhyme with "Pyrexia"
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