Inflammatory disease.
Greek feminine form of adjectives ending in ‑itēs.
In Greek, such adjectives were often used alone, with a following noun understood, especially nosos, disease. For example, though nephritis in classical Greek strictly meant ‘of the kidneys’, it actually referred to a disease of that organ. Application specifically to inflammations occurred in English from the eighteenth century onwards. A large number of such terms now exists, of which a few are given in the list below.
The ending is often used facetiously in temporary formations that refer to some state of mind or tendency viewed as a disease: celebritis, excessive admiration for celebrities; electionitis; lotteryitis; millenniumitis.
Examples of words in -itis
appendicitis
inflammation of the appendix
English appendix
arthritis
disease causing inflammation of the joints
Greek arthron, joint
bronchitis
inflammation of the mucous membrane in the bronchial tubes
Greek bronkhos, windpipe
colitis
inflammation of the lining of the colon
English colon, from Greek kolon
conjunctivitis
inflammation of the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that covers the front of the eye
Latin conjungere, join together
cystitis
inflammation of the urinary bladder
Greek kustis, bladder
dermatitis
an inflammatory condition of the skin
Greek derma, dermat‑, skin
encephalitis
inflammation of the brain
Greek enkephalos, brain
gastritis
inflammation of the lining of the stomach
Greek gastēr, gastr‑, stomach
hepatitis
inflammation of the liver
Greek hēpar, hēpat‑, liver
mastitis
inflammation of the mammary gland in the breast or udder
Greek mastos, breast
meningitis
inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that line the skull
Greek mēninx, mēning‑, membrane
poliomyelitis
an infectious viral disease that can cause paralysis
Greek polios, grey, plus muelos, marrow
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