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