encephalitis

American  

[en-sef-uh-lahy-tis] / ɛnˌsɛf əˈlaɪ tɪs /

noun

Pathology.

1. inflammation of the substance of the brain.

2. Also called encephalitis lethargica.  a form of this condition, caused by a filterable virus and characterized by apathy and abnormal sleepiness; sleeping sickness.

---

encephalitis British  

/ ˌɛnkɛf-, ˌɛnsɛfəˈlaɪtɪs, ˌɛnsɛfəˈlɪtɪk /

noun

1. inflammation of the brain

---

encephalitis Scientific  

/ ĕn-sĕf′ə-lī′tĭs /

1. Inflammation of the brain, usually caused by infection with a virus.

---

encephalitis Cultural  

1. An inflammation of the brain. Encephalitis may be caused by a virus or lead poisoning, or it may be a complication of another disease, such as influenza or measles. Encephalitis can cause permanent brain damage or death. It is also possible, however, to recover from it completely.

---

Other Word Forms

• encephalitic adjective
• postencephalitic adjective
• pseudoencephalitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of encephalitis

First recorded in 1835–45; encephal- + -itis

Example Sentences

There are allusions to the tragedies that befell him: the loss of a young daughter to measles encephalitis and his son’s near-fatal accident.

From The Wall Street Journal

She added that Ford showed symptoms of both types of rabies - encephalitis and flaccid - which was unusual.

From BBC

The clinical outcomes included neurologic conditions such as seizures, encephalitis, altered mental status, ataxia/movement disorders, vision changes, dizziness, headache, and sleeping disorders.

From Science Daily

These infections were marked by encephalitis and frequently resulted in death, highlighting the increased pathogenic potential of this transmission route.

From Science Daily

Complications can include bacterial infection of scabs, and much more rarely, a swelling of the brain known as encephalitis, lung inflammation known as pnemonitis, and stroke.

From BBC