catalepsy Hear it!

catalepsy Definition

cata·lepsy (kat′ə lep′sē)

noun

a condition in which consciousness and feeling seem to be temporarily lost, and the muscles become rigid: it may occur in epilepsy, schizophrenia, etc.

Etymology: LL catalepsis < Gr katalēpsis, a seizing, grasping < katalambanein < kata-, down + lambanein, to take, seize: for IE base see latch

catalepsy Related Forms
cat′a·lep′·tic (-tik) adjective, noun
catalepsy Usage Examples

Noun used with modifier

  • eyelid: When this is shown to be the case, eyelid catalepsy has been achieved.