̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈlīd.ə̇s, -ītə̇s noun
( plural encephalit·i·des -ˈlid.əˌdēz, -itə-)
Etymology: New Latin, from encephal- + -itis
: inflammation of the brain especially when due to infectious agents or their toxins ; specifically : any of several diseases of man in which a virus of any of several related strains normally parasites of lower vertebrates and commonly transmitted by biting arthropods invades the brain causing inflammatory and degenerative lesions commonly accompanied by apathy, muscular weakness, and lethargy passing into more or less profound somnolence — see sleeping sickness