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catatonia

(kat′ə tō′nē ə)

noun

Psychiatry a syndrome, esp. of schizophrenia, marked by stupor or catalepsy, often alternating with phases of excitement

Origin: ModL cata- + Gr tonos, tension < teinein: see tend

Related Forms:

catatonic adjective, noun

See catatonia in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

An abnormal condition variously characterized by stupor, stereotypy, mania, and either rigidity or extreme flexibility of the limbs. It is most often associated with schizophrenia.

Origin:

Origin: New Latin

Origin: , from German Katatonie

Origin: , from Greek katatonos, stretching tight

Origin: , from katateinein, to stretch tight

Origin: : kata-, intensive pref.; see cata-

Origin: + teinein, to stretch; see ten- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms:

catˌa·tonˈic (-tŏnˈĭk) adjective & n.

catˌa·tonˈi·cal·ly adverb

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