dementia

American  

[dih-men-shuh, -shee-uh] / dɪˈmɛn ʃə, -ʃi ə /

noun

1. a condition characterized by progressive, persistent, severe impairment of intellectual capacity, including memory loss, confusion, and emotional instability, resulting from the loss of or damage to neurons in the brain.

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dementia British  

/ -ʃɪə, dɪˈmɛnʃə /

noun

1. a state of serious emotional and mental deterioration, of organic or functional origin

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dementia Scientific  

/ dĭ-mĕn′shə /

1. Deterioration of intellectual faculties, such as memory, concentration, and judgment, sometimes accompanied by emotional disturbance and personality changes. Dementia is caused by organic damage to the brain (as in Alzheimer's disease), head trauma, metabolic disorders, or the presence of a tumor.

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Other Word Forms

• demential adjective

Etymology

Origin of dementia

First recorded in 1800–10; from Latin dēmentia “madness,” equivalent to dēment- “out of one's mind” ( dement ) + -ia noun suffix

Compare meaning

How does dementia compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• dementia vs. senility

Example Sentences

‘He has become hostile’: My mom is in her 80s and has dementia.

From MarketWatch

‘He has become hostile’: My mom is in her 80s and has dementia.

From MarketWatch

A new study suggests that disruptions in the body's internal clock may be tied to a higher risk of dementia.

From Science Daily

These lingering cells have been linked to many age-related conditions, including diabetes and dementia.

From Science Daily

These blockages interfere with the brain's ability to clear harmful substances and may appear well before clear dementia symptoms develop.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• brain damage
• mental disorder