encephalitis

[en-sef-uh-lahy-tis] /ɛnˌsɛf əˈlaɪ tɪs/
noun, Pathology
1.
inflammation of the substance of the brain.
2.
Also called encephalitis lethargica
[li-thahr-ji-kuh] /lɪˈθɑr dʒɪ kə/ (Show IPA). a form of this condition, caused by a filterable virus and characterized by apathy and abnormal sleepiness; sleeping sickness.
Origin
1835-45; encephal- + -itis
Related forms
encephalitic
[en-sef-uh-lit-ik] /ɛnˌsɛf əˈlɪt ɪk/ (Show IPA), adjective
postencephalitic, adjective
pseudoencephalitic, adjective
Examples from the web for encephalitis
  • Arboviruses are a leading cause of viral encephalitis throughout the world.
  • Researchers thought that encephalitis caused some subtle neurological deficit that could not be medically detected.
  • Vaccinations also cause encephalitis, brain damage, paralysis and epilepsy.
  • In that instance, two infants developed encephalitis as complications from measles and died.
  • encephalitis can closely follow measles, or it can occur years later during adolescence as a result of a slow virus infection.
  • It can also blind, and it can develop into encephalitis, same as measles.
British Dictionary definitions for encephalitis

encephalitis

/ˌɛnsɛfəˈlaɪtɪs; ˌɛnkɛf-/
noun
1.
inflammation of the brain
Derived Forms
encephalitic (ˌɛnsɛfəˈlɪtɪk) adjective
Word Origin and History for encephalitis
n.

1843, from medical Latin encephalon (from Greek enkephalos "brain," literally "within the head," from en "in" + kephale "head;" see cephalo-) + -itis.

encephalitis in Medicine

encephalitis en·ceph·a·li·tis (ěn-sěf'ə-lī'tĭs)
n. pl. en·ceph·a·lit·i·des (-lĭt'ĭ-dēz)
Inflammation of the brain. Also called cephalitis.

en·ceph'a·lit'ic (-lĭt'ĭk) adj.
encephalitis in Science
encephalitis
  (ěn-sěf'ə-lī'tĭs)   
Inflammation of the brain, usually caused by infection with a virus.
encephalitis in Culture
encephalitis [(en-sef-uh-leye-tis)]

An inflammation of the brain. Encephalitis may be caused by a virus or lead poisoning, or it may be a complication of another disease, such as influenza or measles. Encephalitis can cause permanent brain damage or death. It is also possible, however, to recover from it completely.