hectic

a. [ F. hectique, Gr. &unr_; habitual, consumptive, fr. &unr_; habit, a habit of body or mind, fr. &unr_; to have; akin to Skr. sah to overpower, endure; cf. AS. sige, sigor, victory, G. sieg, Goth. sigis. Cf. Scheme. ] 1. Habitual; constitutional; pertaining especially to slow waste of animal tissue, as in consumption; as, a hectic type in disease; a hectic flush. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. In a hectic condition; having hectic fever; consumptive; as, a hectic patient. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hectic fever (Med.), a fever of irritation and debility, occurring usually at a advanced stage of exhausting disease, as a in pulmonary consumption. [ 1913 Webster ]