meningitis

[men-in-jahy-tis]

noun

Pathology.

1. inflammation of the meninges, especially of the pia mater and arachnoid, caused by a bacterial or viral infection and characterized by high fever, severe headache, and stiff neck or back muscles.

meningitis

/ ˌmɛnɪnˈdʒɪtɪk, ˌmɛnɪnˈdʒaɪtɪs /

noun

1. inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain or spinal cord, caused by infection

meningitis

1. Inflammation of the meninges of the brain and the spinal cord, usually resulting from a bacterial or viral infection and often characterized by fever, vomiting, an intense headache, and a stiff neck.

meningitis

1. Inflammation of the meninges of the brain or spinal cord, most often resulting from a bacterial or viral infection.

Other Word Forms

• meningitic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of meningitis¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1820–30; meninges, -itis

Example Sentences

That leaves Javali handling valley fever complications like fungal meningitis, which she said she had never seen before coming to California.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But his parents said his "battles kept coming" with Kobi developing meningitis and each day bringing a new fear with blood transfusions, lumbar punctures and scans.

Read more on BBC

The government agency said people should be alert to the symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, which can include a fever, headache, rapid breathing, drowsiness, shivering, vomiting, plus cold hands and feet.

Read more on BBC

When he was just 4 years old, his family was struck by tragedy when his older sister died of meningitis at age 7.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Alison said she wished she had known more about the symptoms of meningitis when her daughter was still alive as she believes it might have changed the outcome.

Read more on BBC