dementia

[dih-men-shuh, -shee-uh]

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.

dementia

/ -ʃɪə, dɪˈmɛnʃə /

noun

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

dementia

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.

Other Word Forms

• demential adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dementia¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dementia¹

C19: from Latin: madness; see _dement

Example Sentences

These observations reinforce how vascular health connects to conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer's, where damage to the vascular system is closely associated.

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Because Alzheimer's disease is linked to sharp declines in cholinergic health, the results help explain previous findings that such exercises can lower dementia risk and enhance cognitive performance.

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‘Luckily, I did not mix our finances’: My husband is 7 years younger and has dementia.

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In 2014, Timothy West confirmed that Prunella was suffering from vascular dementia.

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"Although dementia forced her retirement from a remarkable acting career of nearly 70 years, she continued to live at home."

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Related Words

• brain damage 
• mental disorder