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

/ dɪˈmɛnʃə; -ʃɪə /

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

It’s thought by many that dementia is a slow slide, and is non-reversible, as is Alzheimer’s.

From Nautilus

A few years before Andrews got there, one 79-year-old man suffering from dementia disappeared after being left unattended in the overflow area, according to a state inspection report and a lawsuit by his family.

From ProPublica

This particular theory of treating Alzheimer’s or dementia hasn’t been proven to date—but Biogen is hoping to break the mold.

From Fortune

There are nearly 600 assisted living facilities, some of which cater to residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

From Voice of San Diego

In San Diego, there are nearly 600 assisted living facilities, ranging from small homes to memory care campuses like Elmcroft that cater to residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

From Voice of San Diego

True, true, Thanksgrabbing behemoths like Sears and Kmart are doubling down on doorbuster dementia.

From The Daily Beast

Depending on what parts of the brain are impacted, the person can develop forms of dementia and personality changes.

From The Daily Beast

Later, cognitive and behavioral problems can occur; dementia is not uncommon.

From The Daily Beast

Perhaps there is no better example of this than the way in which we treat our elders living with dementia.

From The Daily Beast

In my opinion, it is the most inspiring film about dementia out there today.

From The Daily Beast

In a certain number of cases, after the period of excitement disappears, a certain amount of dementia is noticed.

From Project Gutenberg

This dementia progresses until finally there is a state of almost complete obliteration of the mental faculties.

From Project Gutenberg

Unless we accept his conduct as the result of a momentary dementia, produced by overstrain, it must remain inexplicable.

From Project Gutenberg

I suspect that all things unspoken in our souls partake somewhat of the laxity of delirium and dementia.

From Project Gutenberg

In not a few cases there is a steady mental decline, which ends in dementia or idiocy.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• brain damage
• mental disorder