phrenitis

From Latin phrenītis, from Ancient Greek φρενῖτις (phrenîtis), from φρήν (phrḗn, “mind”).

• (UK) IPA^(key): /fɹəˈnʌɪtɪs/
• (US) IPA^(key): /fɹəˈnaɪdəs/

phrenitis (countable and uncountable, plural phrenitides)

1. (historical, medicine) Madness, especially as caused by inflammation of the brain; meningitis.
   • 1621, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy, Oxford: Printed by Iohn Lichfield and Iames Short, for Henry Cripps, OCLC 216894069; The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd corrected and augmented edition, Oxford: Printed by John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, 1624, OCLC 54573970, (please specify |partition=1, 2, or 3):

     , Book I, New York 2001, p.140:

     Phrenitis, which the Greeks derive from the word φρήν, is a disease of the mind, with a continual madness or dotage […].

• Pinterish, inspireth, nephritis