Meningitis
/ˌmɛnɪnˈdʒaɪtɪs/noun
Inflammation of the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Did you know?The Greek source referred not to the brain itself, but to its enclosing membranes, which ancient physicians recognized as distinct protective layers.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
μῆνιγξ (mêninx)
“Membrane, especially the membrane surrounding the brain”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μηνιγγ- (mening-)
“Stem form used in compounds and inflected forms referring to the brain membranes”
19th Century
Greek/Medical Latin
meninges
“The membranes covering the brain and spinal cord”
19th Century
Medical Latin
meningitis
“Inflammation of the meninges”
Modern English
English
meningitis
“Inflammation of the protective membranes around the brain and spinal cord”
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