spongiform encephalopathy
noun
spon·gi·form encephalopathy ˈspən-ji-ˌfȯrm- 
: 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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web These included bacterial diseases like bovine tuberculosis and Q fever, viral diseases like Nipah virus and H5N1 avian influenza, and prion diseases like Bovine spongiform encephalopathy. 
John Drake, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2021 These spongiform encephalopathies serve as a negative selection pressure against cannibalism. National Geographic, 19 Feb. 2017 By consuming meat from these cows, the spongiform encephalopathy disease was transmitted to humans. National Geographic, 19 Feb. 2017
John Drake, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2021 These spongiform encephalopathies serve as a negative selection pressure against cannibalism. National Geographic, 19 Feb. 2017 By consuming meat from these cows, the spongiform encephalopathy disease was transmitted to humans. National Geographic, 19 Feb. 2017 Word History
Etymology
spongiform resembling a sponge, from Latin spongia + English -iform
First Known Use
1960, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
spongiform encephalopathy
noun
: 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