poliomyelitis

 
Pronunciation: /ˌpəʊlɪəʊmʌɪəˈlʌɪtɪs, ˌpɒlɪəʊ-/

noun

[mass noun] Medicine
  • an infectious viral disease that affects the central nervous system and can cause temporary or permanent paralysis.

Origin:

late 19th century: modern Latin, from Greek polios 'grey' + muelos 'marrow'