phrenitis

[fri-nahy-tis]

noun

Pathology.

1. inflammation of the brain; encephalitis.

2. delirium; frenzy.

phrenitis

/ frɪˈnɪtɪk, frɪˈnaɪtɪs /

noun

1. another name for encephalitis

2. a state of frenzy; delirium

Other Word Forms

• phrenitic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of phrenitis¹

1615–25; < Late Latin phrenītis delirium, frenzy < Greek phrenîtis. See phren-, -itis

Word History and Origins

Origin of phrenitis¹

C17: via Late Latin from Greek: delirium, from phrēn mind, diaphragm + _-itis

Example Sentences

Alexander has much to say with regard to phrenitis, a febrile condition complicated by delirium, which, following Galen, he considers an affection of the brain.

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The doctor who had been called in from outside named the disease phrenitis.

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He found in his autopsy observations confirmation of this view and concludes that "madness is to phrenitis what pulmonary consumption is to pneumony, that is, a chronic state of an acute disease."

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The pulpit of the Parish Church will stand for ever before he upsets it, and he will never approach that altitude of polemical phrenitis which will induce him to smash any part of it.

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At length George Dyer's phrenitis has come to a crisis; he is raging and furiously mad.

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