First Known Use: 1960
Dictionary
spongiform encephalopathy
noun spon·gi·form encephalopathy \ˈspən-ji-ˌfȯrm-\
Definition of SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY
: any of various degenerative diseases of the brain characterized by the development of porous spongelike lesions in brain tissue and by deterioration in neurological functioning; specifically : prion disease
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Origin of SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY
spongiform resembling a sponge, from Latin spongia + English -iform
Medical Dictionary
spongiform encephalopathy
noun
Medical Definition of SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHY
: any of various degenerative diseases of the brain characterized by the development of porous spongelike lesions in brain tissue and by deterioration in neurological functioning; specifically : prion disease
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