meningitis

[men-in-jahy-tis] /ˌmɛn ɪnˈdʒaɪ tɪs/

noun, Pathology

inflammation of the meninges, especially of the pia mater and arachnoid, caused by a bacterial or viral infection and characterized by high fever, severe headache, and stiff neck or back muscles.

Origin

1820-30; < Neo-Latin; see meninges, -itis

Related forms

meningitic

[men-in-jit-ik] /ˌmɛn ɪnˈdʒɪt ɪk/ (Show IPA), adjective

Examples from the web for meningitis

meningitis can quickly become a life-threatening illness.
If neurological problems continue, they are generally due to the meningitis, not the effusion.
meningitis is a medical term for inflammation of the tissues surrounding the brain.

British Dictionary definitions for meningitis

meningitis

/ˌmɛnɪnˈdʒaɪtɪs/

noun

inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain or spinal cord, caused by infection

Derived Forms

meningitic (ˌmɛnɪnˈdʒɪtɪk) adjective

Word Origin and History for meningitis

"inflammation of the meninges," 1825, coined from Modern Latin meninga, from Greek meninx (genitive meningos) "membrane," in medical Latin especially that of the brain (see member) + -itis "disease." Related: Meningitic.

meningitis in Medicine

meningitis men·in·gi·tis (měn'ĭn-jī'tĭs)
n. pl. men·in·git·i·des (-jĭt'ĭ-dēz')
Inflammation of the meninges of the brain and the spinal cord, most often the result of a bacterial or viral infection and characterized by fever, vomiting, intense headache, and stiff neck.

men'in·git'ic (-jĭt'ĭk) adj.

meningitis in Science

meningitis

(měn'ĭn-jī'tĭs)
Inflammation of the meninges of the brain and the spinal cord, usually resulting from a bacterial or viral infection and often characterized by fever, vomiting, an intense headache, and a stiff neck.

meningitis in Culture

meningitis [(men-in-jeye-tis)]

Inflammation of the meninges of the brain or spinal cord, most often resulting from a bacterial or viral infection.