meningitis

[ men-in-jahy-tis ]

nounPathology.
  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.

Origin of meningitis

1
From New Latin, dating back to 1820–30; see origin at meninges, -itis

Other words from meningitis

  • men·in·git·ic [men-in-jit-ik], /ˌmɛn ɪnˈdʒɪt ɪk/, adjective

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

How to use meningitis in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for meningitis

meningitis

/ (ˌmɛnɪnˈdʒaɪtɪs) /


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

Derived forms of meningitis

  • meningitic (ˌmɛnɪnˈdʒɪtɪk), adjective

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 meningitis

meningitis

[ mĕn′ĭn-jītĭs ]


  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.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for meningitis

meningitis

[ (men-in-jeye-tis) ]


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

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.