dementia

American  

[dih-men-shuh, -shee-uh] / dɪˈmɛn ʃə, -ʃi ə /

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.

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dementia British  

/ -ʃɪə, dɪˈmɛnʃə /

noun

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

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dementia Scientific  

/ 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.

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Other Word Forms

• demential adjective

Etymology

Origin of dementia

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

Compare meaning

How does dementia compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• dementia vs. senility

Example Sentences

The lab focuses on the neurobiological basis of behavioral plasticity, including learning, memory, and addiction, as well as gene-by-environment interactions linked to Alzheimer's disease and related dementia.

From Science Daily

Just before her fourth birthday Sophia Scott's parents were told she had a condition that causes childhood dementia.

From BBC

There are stages of dementia, and it’s not clear from your letter whether your grandmother maintained testamentary capacity.

From MarketWatch

The protective effects were especially strong for inflammatory conditions like arthritis, serious cardiovascular problems such as heart attack and stroke, and dementia.

From Science Daily

Jeffries' lawyers argue that he is suffering with dementia and late onset of Alzheimer's disease and is unfit to face trial alongside his partner and their alleged middleman in October.

From BBC

Related Words

• brain damage
• mental disorder