dementia

[ dih-men-shuh, -shee-uh ]

See synonyms for dementia on Thesaurus.com

noun

a condition characterized by progressive, persistent, severe impairment of intellectual capacity, including memory loss, confusion, and emotional instability, resulting from the loss of or damage to neurons in the brain.

Origin of dementia

First recorded in 1800–10; from Latin dēmentia “madness,” equivalent to dēment- “out of one's mind” (see dement) + -ia noun suffix

Other words from dementia

de·men·tial, adjective

Words Nearby dementia

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use dementia in a sentence

True, true, Thanksgrabbing behemoths like Sears and Kmart are doubling down on doorbuster dementia.
Walmart Lifts Black Friday’s Curse | James Poulos | November 26, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Depending on what parts of the brain are impacted, the person can develop forms of dementia and personality changes.
Understanding Tracy Morgan’s Traumatic Brain Injury | Jean Kim | November 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Later, cognitive and behavioral problems can occur; dementia is not uncommon.
The Burden Robin Williams Carried: Diagnosed With Parkinson’s and Depression | Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD, Tej Azad | August 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Perhaps there is no better example of this than the way in which we treat our elders living with dementia.
How an iPod Can Fight Alzheimer’s and Dementia | Dr. Bill Thomas | July 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
In my opinion, it is the most inspiring film about dementia out there today.
How an iPod Can Fight Alzheimer’s and Dementia | Dr. Bill Thomas | July 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST

In a certain number of cases, after the period of excitement disappears, a certain amount of dementia is noticed.
Essays In Pastoral Medicine | Austin Malley
This dementia progresses until finally there is a state of almost complete obliteration of the mental faculties.
Essays In Pastoral Medicine | Austin Malley
Unless we accept his conduct as the result of a momentary dementia, produced by overstrain, it must remain inexplicable.
Somehow Good | William de Morgan
I suspect that all things unspoken in our souls partake somewhat of the laxity of delirium and dementia.
Tono Bungay | H. G. Wells
In not a few cases there is a steady mental decline, which ends in dementia or idiocy.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 6 | Various

British Dictionary definitions for dementia

dementia

/ (dɪˈmɛnʃə, -ʃɪə) /

noun

a state of serious emotional and mental deterioration, of organic or functional origin

Origin of dementia

C19: from Latin: madness; see dement

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

Scientific definitions for dementia

dementia

[ dĭ-mĕn′shə ]

Deterioration of intellectual faculties, such as memory, concentration, and judgment, sometimes accompanied by emotional disturbance and personality changes. Dementia is caused by organic damage to the brain (as in Alzheimer's disease), head trauma, metabolic disorders, or the presence of a tumor.

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