dementia pugilistica

noun

dementia pu·​gi·​lis·​ti·​ca -ˌpyü-jə-ˈli-sti-kə How to pronounce dementia pugilistica (audio)
: chronic traumatic encephalopathy
Brain degeneration from repeated blows to the head has been known in boxers since the 1920s as dementia pugilistica, or punch-drunk syndrome.Luna Shyr

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web By the fifties, punch-drunk syndrome was being described as dementia pugilistica and chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Ingfei Chen, The New Yorker, 11 Feb. 2023 And is there really a difference between dementia pugilistica and chronic traumatic encephalopathy? John Kass, chicagotribune.com, 22 Jan. 2021 Over the decades, it was sometimes suggested that dementia pugilistica might befall professional football players, too. Ingfei Chen, The New Yorker, 1 Feb. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dementia pugilistica.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin, "pugilistic dementia"

Note: The term was introduced by J.A. Millspaugh, a lieutenant in U.S. Navy Medical Corps, in "Dementia Pugilistica," United States Naval Medical Bulletin, vol. 35, no. 3 (July, 1937), pp. 297-303.

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of dementia pugilistica was in 1938

Dictionary Entries Near dementia pugilistica

Cite this Entry

“Dementia pugilistica.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dementia%20pugilistica. Accessed 25 Mar. 2023.

Medical Definition

dementia pugilistica

noun
dementia pu·​gi·​lis·​ti·​ca -ˌpyü-jə-ˈlis-tə-kə How to pronounce dementia pugilistica (audio)
: chronic traumatic encephalopathy
Brain degeneration from repeated blows to the head has been known in boxers since the 1920s as dementia pugilistica, or punch-drunk syndrome.Luna Shyr, National Geographic
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Challenging Standardized Test Words, Vol. 2

  • a pencil broken in half on top of a test answer sheet
  • The business’s new computer system proved not to be a panacea.
Name That Thing

You know what it looks like… but what is it called?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY