meningitis

American  

[men-in-jahy-tis] / ˌmɛn ɪnˈdʒaɪ tɪs /

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.

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meningitis British  

/ ˌmɛnɪnˈdʒɪtɪk, ˌmɛnɪnˈdʒaɪtɪs /

noun

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

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meningitis Scientific  

/ mĕn′ĭn-jī′tĭs /

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.

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meningitis Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

• meningitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of meningitis

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

Example Sentences

The meningitis outbreak in Kent has seen 20 confirmed cases.

From BBC

She had contracted meningococcal type B meningitis despite being fully vaccinated.

From BBC

Although the city has been at the centre of a fatal meningitis outbreak, no changes to planned events were deemed necessary.

From BBC

"It was treated as meningitis as soon as I was taken in. If the report had been made earlier, other people could have been warned to look out for symptoms."

From BBC

No new meningitis cases have been reported for the second day in a row following the outbreak in Kent earlier this month.

From BBC