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