falling sickness


noun

Origin of falling sickness

First recorded in 1520–30

Example sentences from the Web for falling sickness

  • Even the roof, not of you be it said, has the falling-sickness—it hangs by a hair.

    Stories and Pictures |Isaac Loeb Peretz
  • It is good against the Falling-sickness, and giddiness in the head, it cleanseth the Reins and Bladder.

    A Queens Delight |Anonymous
  • It was a sickness, I believe, like the falling-sickness that comes to old men; and in time I grew better and dreamed no more.

    Children of the Frost |Jack London
  • He who kisses it is preserved for seven days from falling-sickness, apoplexy, and sudden death.'

British Dictionary definitions for falling sickness

falling sickness

falling evil


noun

a former name (nontechnical) for epilepsy