Action that makes a problem or a disease (or its symptoms) worse

• Violent and bitter exasperation

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
c.1400, from Late Latin exacerbationem (nominative exacerbatio ), noun of action from past participle stem of Latin exacerbare "exasperate, irritate, provoke," from ex- "thoroughly" (see ex- ) + acerbus "harsh, bitter," from acer "sharp, keen" (see acrid ...

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. action that makes a problem or a disease (or its symptoms) worse; "the aggravation of her condition resulted from lack of care" [syn: aggravation ] violent and bitter exasperation; "his foolishness was followed by an exacerbation of their quarrel"

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
An exacerbation , in medicine, is the worsening of a disease or an increase in its symptoms. Examples includes an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute exacerbation of congestive heart failure .

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. An increase in the severity of something (such as a disease)

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Exacerbation \Ex*ac`er*ba"tion\ ([e^]gz*[a^]s`[~e]r*b[=a]"sh[u^]n) n. [Cf. F. exacerbation.] The act of rendering more violent or bitter; the state of being exacerbated or intensified in violence or malignity; as, exacerbation of passion. (Med.) A periodical ...