cataplexy

[ kat-uh-plek-see ]

noun
  1. Pathology. a condition characterized by sudden, brief attacks of muscle weakness sometimes causing the body to fall helplessly, that is usually triggered by strong emotion: often associated with narcolepsy.

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Origin of cataplexy

1
1880–85; <German Kataplexie<Greek katáplēxis (with suffix probably by analogy with Apoplexieapoplexy) fixation (of the eyes), equivalent to kataplēk- (variant stem of kataplḗssein to strike down) + -sis-sis

Other words from cataplexy

  • cat·a·plec·tic [kat-uh-plek-tik], /ˌkæt əˈplɛk tɪk/, adjective

Words Nearby cataplexy

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British Dictionary definitions for cataplexy

cataplexy

/ (ˈkætəˌplɛksɪ) /


noun
  1. sudden temporary paralysis, brought on by severe shock

  2. a state of complete absence of movement assumed by animals while shamming death

Origin of cataplexy

1
C19: from Greek kataplēxis amazement, from kataplēssein to strike down (with amazement), confound, from kata- down + plēssein to strike

Derived forms of cataplexy

  • cataplectic, adjective

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