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encephalitis lethargica

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en⋅ceph⋅a⋅li⋅tis

  [en-sef-uh-lahy-tis]
Use encephalitis lethargica in a Sentence
–noun Pathology.
1. inflammation of the substance of the brain.
2. Also called encephali⋅tis le⋅thar⋅gi⋅ca  [li-thahr-ji-kuh] . a form of this condition, caused by a filterable virus and characterized by apathy and abnormal sleepiness; sleeping sickness.
Origin:
1835–45; encephal- + -itis

Related forms:
en⋅ceph⋅a⋅lit⋅ic  [en-sef-uh-lit-ik] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To encephalitis lethargica
encephalitis le·thar·gi·ca   (lə-thär'jĭ-kə)   
n.  A viral epidemic encephalitis marked by apathy, paralysis of the extrinsic eye muscle, and extreme muscular weakness. It occurred in various parts of the world between 1915 and 1926. Also called sleeping sickness, sleepy sickness.

[New Latin encephalītis lēthargica : encephalītis, encephalitis + Latin lēthargica, feminine of lēthargicus, sleepy.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cultural Dictionary

encephalitis [(en-sef-uh-leye-tis)]

An inflammation of the brain. Encephalitis may be caused by a virus or lead poisoning, or it may be a complication of another disease, such as influenza or measles. Encephalitis can cause permanent brain damage or death. It is also possible, however, to recover from it completely.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

encephalitis 
1843, by influence of Fr. encéphalite, from Gk. enkephalos, from en- "within" + kephale "head" + -itis.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: en·ceph·a·li·tis
Pronunciation: in-"sef-&-'lIt-&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural en·ceph·a·lit·i·des /-'lit-&-"dEz/
: inflammation of the brain —en·ceph·a·lit·ic /-'lit-ik/ adjective

Main Entry: encephalitis le·thar·gi·ca
Pronunciation: -li-'thär-ji-k&, -le-
Function: noun
: epidemic virus encephalitis inwhich somnolence is marked called also lethargic encephalitis
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

encephalitis en·ceph·a·li·tis (ěn-sěf'ə-lī'tĭs)
n. pl. en·ceph·a·lit·i·des (-lĭt'ĭ-dēz)
Inflammation of the brain. Also called cephalitis.

en·ceph'a·lit'ic (-lĭt'ĭk) adj.

encephalitis lethargica encephalitis le·thar·gi·ca (lə-thär'jĭ-kə)
n.
A viral epidemic encephalitis characterized by apathy, paralysis of an eye muscle, and extreme muscular weakness. Also called sleeping sickness, von Economo's disease.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
encephalitis   (ěn-sěf'ə-lī'tĭs)  Pronunciation Key 
Inflammation of the brain, usually caused by infection with a virus.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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