fulminant

adjective

ful·​mi·​nant ˈfu̇l-mə-nənt 

ˈfəl-

: coming on suddenly and with great severity

fulminant disease

Examples of fulminant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Most cases are mild and readily treatable, but C. difficile has been known on rare occasions to cause severe fulminant colitis, toxic megacolon, and death.23 Warnings and Interactions Penicillins are generally considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding. —Jenny Sweigard, Verywell Health, 16 Nov. 2023

Acute liver failure, also known as fulminant hepatic failure, is a rare but life-threatening condition in which the liver loses function. —Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 5 Sep. 2023

Vibrio, in particular, often causes fulminant infections with rapid shock and death. —Judy Stone, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2022

The other possibility is a life-threatening fungal infection called acute fulminant fungal rhinosinusitis. —Amy Marturana, SELF, 26 Dec. 2018

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Italian fulminante "explosive, violent, (of a disease) appearing suddenly in an acute form," adjective derivative of fulminare "to strike by lightning, emit lightning flashes," going back to Latin fulmināre "to strike (of lightning), strike like lightning" — more at fulminate entry 1

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

fulminant

adjective

ful·​mi·​nant ˈfu̇l-mə-nənt, ˈfəl- 

: coming on suddenly with great severity

fulminant hepatitis with total hepatocyte necrosis

—C. L. Humberston et al.