meningitis
Meningitis (noun) means 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. Example: “The child was rushed to hospital with suspected meningitis.”
How to use meningitis
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA dangerous inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord.
Word forms
meningitides plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The child was rushed to hospital with suspected _____.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek mēninx ("membrane") plus the medical suffix -itis ("inflammation").
Rhymes for meningitis
See all rhymes for meningitis →Frequently asked questions
What does “meningitis” mean?
The word “meningitis” means 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. In plain terms, a dangerous inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord.
How do you pronounce “meningitis”?
“Meningitis” is pronounced meh-nihn-JEYE-tihs (/ˌmɛnɪnˈdʒaɪtɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “meningitis” in a sentence?
Here is “meningitis” used in a sentence: “The child was rushed to hospital with suspected meningitis.”
What part of speech is “meningitis”?
“Meningitis” is a noun.
Where does the word “meningitis” come from?
The word “meningitis” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek mēninx ("membrane") plus the medical suffix -itis ("inflammation").
Is “meningitis” a common word?
“Meningitis” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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