Synonym for meningitis ... <microbiology, neurology> Inflammation of the meninges. When it affects the dura mater, the disease is termed pachymeningitis, when the arachnoid and pia mater are involved, it is called leptomeningitis or meningitis proper. ... See also: aseptic meningitis. ... Origin: Gr. Meninx = membrane ... (21 Jun 1999) ... 
an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord; it may be caused by any of numerous different organisms.
[n] - meningitis caused by bacteria and often fatal
epidemic meningitis noun meningitis caused by bacteria and often fatal
an acute inflammation of the meninges of the brain and spinal cord, caused by a specific organism, accompanied by fever and occasionally red spots on the skin. Also called