An attack, or the onset (of fever or disease); a repeated episode (of an intermittent or chronic disease); (esp. in early use) spec. the…

An acute or high fever; disease, or a disease, characterized by such fever, esp. when recurring periodically, spec. malaria. Also: a malarial…

Ague (in later use spec. puerperal ague, weed, n.3), or a fit of this.

Originally: the disease ague (malaria) (cf. access, n. 1). Later also (in extended use): hysterics; great excitement.

the ague.

(cf. access, n. 1) the ague (Scottish).

(the) shivers: an attack of shivering; often spec. the ague.

A disease in sheep and swine (see quot. 1722). Also the ague. Chiefly in plural.