noun
meningitis
meh-nihn-JEYE-tihs
noun
1
A serious illness in which the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord become inflamed, typically causing headache, fever, stiff neck, and sensitivity to light.
"The child was rushed to hospital with suspected meningitis."
"Vaccines have reduced the number of meningitis cases in children."
How to Use Meningitis
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA dangerous inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord.
Common pairings
bacterial meningitis
viral meningitis
meningitis vaccine
symptoms of meningitis
Word Forms
meningitides plural
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Etymology
From Ancient Greek mēninx ("membrane") plus the medical suffix -itis ("inflammation").