poliomyelitis

/ˌpɒlɪəʊmaɪəˈlaɪtɪs/

UK: /ˈpəʊlɪəʊmaɪəˈlaɪtɪs/

poliomyelitis

English Noun

Definition

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

Etymology

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