Main Entry: men·in·gi·tis

Pronunciation: \ˌme-nən-ˈjī-təs\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural men·in·git·i·des \-ˈji-tə-ˌdēz\

Etymology: New Latin

Date: 1824

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