encephalitis

[en-sef-uh-lahy-tis]

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

/ ˌɛnkɛf-, ˌɛnsɛfəˈlaɪtɪs, ˌɛnsɛfəˈlɪtɪk /

noun

1. inflammation of the brain

encephalitis

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

encephalitis

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of encephalitis¹

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

Example Sentences

In rare cases chicken pox can cause a swelling of the brain, called encephalitis; an inflammation of the lungs, called pneumonitis; and stroke, which can result in hospitalisation and - very rarely - death.

From BBC

In rare cases it can cause a swelling of the brain, called encephalitis, an inflammation of the lungs, called pneumonitis, and stroke, which can result in hospitalisation and, in very rare cases, death.

From BBC

Scores of studies show that the vaccine doesn’t cause encephalitis, that most potential side effects resolve quickly on their own, and serious adverse reactions are far rarer than measles complications.

From Salon

Following a severe battle with autoimmune encephalitis in 2022, which left Burton in a medically induced coma for 25 days, she returned to rugby and was first capped earlier this year.

From BBC

In 2022 she was diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis, which occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the brain, and spent more than three weeks in a coma.

From BBC