epilepsy

[ ep-uh-lep-see ]
/ ˈɛp əˌlɛp si /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR epilepsy ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Pathology.

a disorder of the nervous system, characterized either by mild, episodic loss of attention or sleepiness (petit mal) or by severe convulsions with loss of consciousness (grand mal).

Origin of epilepsy

1570–80; < Late Latin epilēpsia < Greek epilēpsía epileptic seizure, equivalent to epílēpt(os) suffering from epilepsy (verbid of epilambánein to get hold of, attack; epi- epi- + lambánein to seize) + -ia -y3, with ti > si

Words nearby epilepsy

epilate, epilation, epilator, epilatory, epilemma, epilepsy, epileptic, epileptiform, epileptogenic, epileptogenic zone, epileptoid

Words related to epilepsy

tremor, cramp, contraction, seizure, paroxysm, attack, contortion, fit, throe

Example sentences from the Web for epilepsy

British Dictionary definitions for epilepsy

epilepsy
/ (ˈɛpɪˌlɛpsɪ) /

noun

a disorder of the central nervous system characterized by periodic loss of consciousness with or without convulsions. In some cases it is due to brain damage but in others the cause is unknown See also grand mal, petit mal

Word Origin for epilepsy

C16: from Late Latin epilēpsia, from Greek, from epilambanein to attack, seize, from lambanein to take

Medical definitions for epilepsy

epilepsy
[ ĕp′ə-lĕp′sē ]

n.

Any of various neurological disorders characterized by sudden, recurring attacks of motor, sensory, or psychic malfunction with or without loss of consciousness or convulsive seizures. seizure disorder

Scientific definitions for epilepsy

epilepsy
[ ĕp′ə-lĕp′sē ]

Any of various neurological disorders characterized by recurrent seizures. Epilepsy is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

Cultural definitions for epilepsy

epilepsy
[ (ep-uh-lep-see) ]

A disorder of the brain characterized by sudden, recurring attacks of abnormal brain function, often resulting in convulsions or seizures. The seizures associated with epilepsy can sometimes be controlled by medication.