adjective
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of or relating to apoplexy
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informal furious
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of apoplectic
First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin apoplēcticus, from Greek apoplēktikós “pertaining to a (paralytic) stroke,” equivalent to apóplēkt(os) “struck down” (derivative of apoplḗssein ) + -ikos -ic
Explanation
Someone who is apoplectic is not just mad — they're so filled with rage, they can barely communicate. If your mother is apoplectic, you'd better hope it isn't over something you did. Apoplectic comes from a Greek word that means to "disable by a stroke." What is a stroke? The sudden loss of consciousness or control caused when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures or becomes blocked. When this happens, a person becomes apoplectic. This word also applies to someone who acts so upset, it is like he or she is having a stroke.
Vocabulary lists containing apoplectic
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Apoplectic, Sickles confronted his wife, who quickly admitted to the liaison.
From Washington Post • Mar. 2, 2018
Apoplectic or easily worried readers had best leave it alone; but bolder or more placid spirits will come to no harm, may even find some food for thought, amusement or admiration in No Thanks.
From Time Magazine Archive
Apoplectic over this final foolishness, Manager Fred Haney fined Bobby $100.
From Time Magazine Archive
Apoplectic and epileptic fits and convulsions were not of very frequent occurrence, but they seemed severe when they did occur.
From In the Forbidden Land by Landor, Arnold Henry Savage
Dr. Kirkland, in his commentary on Apoplectic and Paralytic Affections, &c. cites the following case, related by Dr. Charlton, as belonging, he says, to the class of Shaking Palsies.
From An Essay on the Shaking Palsy by Parkinson, James
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
