What does "meningitis" mean?

Inflammation of the meninges, characterized by headache, neck stiffness and photophobia and also fever, chills, vomiting and myalgia.

Meningitis

Common synonyms include: acute articular rheumatism, adenoiditis, adrenitis, african lethargy, ague, alkali disease.

noun

noun ·4 syllables ·Common ·High school level

Noun

1
Inflammation of the meninges, characterized by headache, neck stiffness and photophobia and also fever, chills, vomiting and myalgia. countable, uncountable
2
infectious disease characterized by inflammation of the meninges (the tissues that surround the brain or spinal cord) usually caused by a bacterial infection; symptoms include headache and stiff neck and fever and nausea wordnet

"Meningitis is a terrible disease."

From Ancient Greek μῆνῐγξ (mênĭnx) + -itis, equivalent to meninge + -itis.