poliomyelitis meaning: definition, etymology

poliomyelitis

noun

UK /ˌpɒlɪəʊmaɪəˈlaɪtɪs/

Etymology Borrowed from German Poliomyelitis, from the Ancient Greek πολιός (poliós, “grey”) + μυελός (muelós, “marrow”) + -ῖτις (-îtis, “-itis”). Compare French poliomyélite.

Medicine, Pathology, Sciences Acute infection by the poliovirus, especially of the motor neurons in the spinal cord and brainstem, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis and sometimes deformity.

Derived terms: antipoliomyelitis, postpoliomyelitis