feverish

For me the meaning makes no difference in the pronunciation of this word.

It's definitely got a long 'e' when I pronounce it, but I don't know if that's universal. For instance I say 'leverage' with a long 'e' but many people don't.

Does this word have a short or a long 'e' in its pronounciation? I should use one way but personally I use a long e when talking about a fever, but short when talking about agitation and the like.

Jonathan Blake
Ate too much cake,
He isn't himself today;
He's tucked up in bed
With a feverish head,
And he doesn't much care to play.
- William Wise, 'After The Party'.