1. A tropical fever or delirium affecting sailors, historically believed to be caused by heat and sea conditions.
Usage: nautical; archaic; historical
2. A state of delirium or feverish excitement; an irrational passion or infatuation.
Usage: archaic; literary

Examples

• The sailors suffered from calentures during their long voyage through the tropics.
• In old maritime accounts, calentures were described as a dangerous affliction of the mind and body.
• The captain recognized the signs of calentures in the delirious crew member.
• His calenture for the distant shore drove him to abandon his duties.
• The ship's doctor documented several cases of calentures in the ship's log.