dementia

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

noun

1. 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.

dementia

/ -ʃɪə; dɪˈmɛnʃə /

noun

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

dementia

/ dĭ-mĕn′shə /

1. 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.

Other Words From

• de·men·tial adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dementia¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dementia¹

C19: from Latin: madness; see dement

Example Sentences

Have you known people with dementia before now?

From Los Angeles Times

But dementia can be forestalled with practical and affordable measures.

From Los Angeles Times

The more the disease is diagnosed, the more individuals will be identified for future treatments, and there is no doubt we need to improve recognition of early dementia, especially in medically underserved populations.

From Los Angeles Times

But her ultimate goal is to build a care home with a dementia unit, which could cost over £500,000 due to rising construction costs.

From BBC

As Peggy, she weathered the ups and downs of life in Ambridge, with plot lines including alcoholism, gambling, and dementia, until Spencer’s retirement in 2022 at the age of 103.

From BBC

Related Words

• brain damage
• mental disorder