a. and sb. [ad. L. quintāna (sc. febris), fem. of quintānus f. quintus fifth: cf. F. quintane, † quintaine (Paré, 16th c.). See QUARTAN.] a. adj. Of a fever or ague: Having a paroxysm every fifth (= fourth) day. b. sb. A fever or ague of this kind.
1747. trans. Astruc’s Fevers, 63. What is called a quintan, is in fact a tertian, whose third accession is either suppressed or imperceptible.
1803. Med. Jrnl., IX. 216. A type more resembling a quartan and quintan than any other.
1897. Allbutt’s Syst. Med., II. 317. Further modifications have been recognized by nosologists as quintan, sextan, octan.
