brain fever

American  

noun

1. cerebrospinal meningitis.

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brain fever British  

noun

1. inflammation of the brain or its covering membranes

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Etymology

Origin of brain fever

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Suddenly she was a single mother of two daughters, mourning the deaths of her husband from typhoid fever and their first daughter, who died of brain fever.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 27, 2026

The child contracted the herpes simplex virus at Watford General hospital, which led to a brain fever.

From BBC • Oct. 8, 2018

Assuming that Mrs. Clinton is neither appointed to the Supreme Court nor succumbs to brain fever, what is it that we want from her?

From New York Times • Oct. 4, 2017

Some said brain fever, others claimed a surfeit of pork chops.

From Salon • Oct. 15, 2012

Next doctor said it would give her brain fever.

From "Seedfolks" by Paul Fleischman