meningitis

men·in·gi·tis

noun \ˌme-nən-ˈjī-təs\

plural men·in·git·i·des\-ˈji-tə-ˌdēz\

Definition of MENINGITIS

1

: inflammation of the meninges and especially of the pia mater and the arachnoid

2

: a disease marked by inflammation of the meninges that is either a relatively mild illness caused by a virus (as various Coxsackie viruses) or a more severe life-threatening illness caused by a bacterium (as the meningococcus)

— men·in·git·ic \-ˈji-tik\ adjective

Examples of MENINGITIS

1. She was diagnosed with spinal meningitis.

Origin of MENINGITIS

New Latin

First Known Use: 1824

Rhymes with MENINGITIS

adenitis, arteritis, cellulitis, dermatitis, enteritis, gingivitis, hepatitis, Heracleitus, ileitis, keratitis, laryngitis, myelitis, pharyngitis, pneumonitis, Polyclitus, prostatitis, retinitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, spondylitis, tendinitis, urethritis, vaginitis

men·in·gi·tis

noun \ˌmen-ən-ˈjīt-əs\   (Medical Dictionary)

plural ; men·in·git·i·des \-ˈjit-ə-ˌdēz\ (audio pronunciation)

Medical Definition of MENINGITIS

1

: inflammation of the meninges and especially of the pia mater and the arachnoid

2

: a disease that may be either a mild illness caused by any of numerous viruses (as various coxsackieviruses) or a more severe usually life-threatening illness caused by a bacterium (especially the meningococcus or the serotype designated B of Hemophilus influenzae), that may be associated with fever, headache, vomiting, malaise, and stiff neck, and that if untreated in bacterial forms may progress to confusion, stupor, convulsions, coma, and death

meningitis

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Inflammation of the meninges. Bacteria (including meningococcus, among others), often from infection elsewhere, produce the most dangerous forms. Symptoms develop rapidly: vomiting, then severe bursting headache, then stiff neck. Young children may have convulsions. The patient may die within hours. Pus in cerebrospinal fluid can block brain passages and spinal spaces, leading to life-threatening hydrocephalus. Speedy diagnosis (by lumbar puncture) and treatment (with antibiotics) can prevent brain damage and death. Viral meningitis usually has a short course and requires no therapy.