Final answer:
Rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasal cavity, which can result from allergies or infections, including the common cold. The term is derived from stems referencing the nose.
Step-by-step explanation:
A person who has rhinitis has inflammation of the nasal cavity. Rhinitis can be triggered by a variety of causes including allergies, bacterial infections, or viral infections like the common cold. In the context of the etymology of the word 'rhinitis', stems rhino and naso inform the meaning, referencing the nose as the inflamed area. This condition results in symptoms that are part of the immune response to either the infection or the allergen, and treatment often aims to alleviate these symptoms.