catalepsy

or cat·a·lep·sis

[ kat-l-ep-see ]
/ ˈkæt lˌɛp si /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR catalepsy ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Pathology, Psychiatry.

a physical condition usually associated with catatonic schizophrenia, characterized by suspension of sensation, muscular rigidity, fixity of posture, and often by loss of contact with environment.

Origin of catalepsy

1350–1400; < Medieval Latin catalēpsia, variant of Late Latin catalēpsis < Greek katálēpsis seizure (akin to katalambánein to hold down), equivalent to kata- cata- + lêpsis a grasping ( lēp-, variant stem of lambánein to grasp + -sis -sis); replacing Middle English cathalempsia < Medieval Latin

OTHER WORDS FROM catalepsy

cat·a·lep·tic, adjective, noun cat·a·lep·ti·cal·ly, adverb

Words nearby catalepsy

catagen, catagenesis, catalan, catalase, catalectic, catalepsy, catalexis, catalin, catalina island, catalo, catalog

Words related to catalepsy

coma, rapture, reverie, stupor, unconsciousness, insensibility, abstraction, study, spell, glaze, muse, ecstasy, daze, dream, petrifaction, catatonia, transfixion, encephalitis, narcolepsy, trypanosomiasis

Example sentences from the Web for catalepsy

British Dictionary definitions for catalepsy

catalepsy
/ (ˈkætəˌlɛpsɪ) /

noun

a state of prolonged rigid posture, occurring for example in schizophrenia or in hypnotic trances

Derived forms of catalepsy

cataleptic, adjective

Word Origin for catalepsy

C16: from Medieval Latin catalēpsia, variant of Late Latin catalēpsis, from Greek katalēpsis, literally: a seizing, from katalambanein to hold down, from kata- down + lambanein to grasp

Medical definitions for catalepsy

catalepsy
[ kăt′l-ĕp′sē ]

n.

A condition that occurs in a variety of physical and psychological disorders and is characterized by lack of response to external stimuli and by muscular rigidity, so that the limbs remain in whatever position they are placed.

Other words from catalepsy

cat′a•lep′tic (kăt′l-ĕp′tĭk) adj. cat′a•lep′toid′ adj.