phrenitis

[ fri-nahy-tis ]

/ frɪˈnaɪ tɪs /

noun Pathology. (formerly)

inflammation of the brain; encephalitis.

delirium; frenzy.

Nearby words

phrenicocolic ligament, phrenicoexeresis, phrenicopleural fascia, phrenicotomy, phrenicotripsy, phrenitis, phreno-, phrenocardia, phrenocolic, phrenocolopexy, phrenogastric

Origin of phrenitis

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for phrenitis

In the month of August the fevers with a stupor and phrenitis came on apace.
A History of Epidemics in Britain, Volume II (of 2)|Charles Creighton
She was in the first stages of phrenitis, or inflammation of the brain.
A Ride With A Mad Horse In A Freight-Car|W. H. H. Murray
In no malady does a horse suffer more than in phrenitis, or inflammation of the brain.
A Ride With A Mad Horse In A Freight-Car|W. H. H. Murray
A horse laboring under an attack of phrenitis is as violent as a horse can be.
A Ride With A Mad Horse In A Freight-Car|W. H. H. Murray

And since the membranes about the wound began to be inflamed, he fell a victim to phrenitis and died not long afterwards.
Procopius|Procopius

British Dictionary definitions for phrenitis

phrenitis

/ (frɪˈnaɪtɪs) /

noun rare

another name for encephalitis

a state of frenzy; delirium

Derived Forms

phrenitic (frɪˈnɪtɪk), adjective

Word Origin for phrenitis

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medicine definitions for phrenitis

phrenitis

[ frĭ-nī′tĭs ]

n.

Inflammation of the diaphragm.

Encephalitis. No longer in technical use.

Related forms

phre•nit′ic (-nĭt′ĭk) adj.