rage

rage / rāj/ • n. violent, uncontrollable anger: her face was distorted with rage| she flew into a rage. ∎ fig. the violent action of a natural agency: the rising rage of the sea. ∎  a vehement desire or passion: a rage for absolute honesty informs much western art. ∎  an instance of aggressive behavior or violent anger caused by a stressful or frustrating situation: desk rage sports rage PC rage. ∎  (the rage) a widespread temporary enthusiasm or fashion: video and computer games are all the rage. ∎ poetic/lit. intense feeling, esp. prophetic, poetic, or martial enthusiasm or ardor. • v. [intr.] feel or express violent uncontrollable anger: he raged at the futility of it all | [with direct speech] “That's unfair!” Maggie raged. ∎  (of a natural agency or a conflict) continue violently or with great force: the argument raged for days. ∎  (of an illness) spread very rapidly or uncontrollably: the great cholera epidemic that raged across Europe in 1831. ∎  (of an emotion) have or reach a high degree of intensity: she couldn't hide the fear that raged within her. ORIGIN: Middle English (also in the sense ‘madness’): from Old French rage (noun), rager (verb), from a variant of Latin rabies (see rabies).