-itis

noun suffix

plural -itises also -itides or -ites

1

: disease or inflammation

bronchitis

2

plural usually -itises : condition likened to a disease

—chiefly in nonce formations

televisionitis

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin & Greek; Latin, from Greek, from feminine of -itēs -ite

Kids Definition

-itis

noun suffix

-i·​tis

ˈīt-əs

plural -itises

ˈīt-ə-səz

also -itides

ˈit-ə-ˌdēz

or -ites

ˈīt-(ˌ)ēz,

ˈēt-

: inflamed state of or disorder with inflammation of

bronchitis

Etymology

derived from Greek -itis (noun and adjective suffix)

Medical Definition

itis

noun

ˈīt-əs 

: a disease characterized by inflammation

arthritis, tendinitis and all those other itises

—Sports Illustrated