apoplectic

American  

[ap-uh-plek-tik] / ˌæp əˈplɛk tɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to apoplexy or stroke.

2. having or inclined to apoplexy.

3. intense enough to threaten or cause apoplexy.

   an apoplectic rage.

4. extremely angry; furious.

   He became apoplectic at the mere mention of the subject.

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noun

1. a person having or predisposed to apoplexy. apoplexy.

apoplectic British  

/ ˌæpəˈplɛktɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to apoplexy

2. informal furious

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noun

1. a person having apoplexy

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• pseudoapoplectically
  adverb
• pseudoapoplectical
  adjective
• pseudoapoplectic
  adjective
• postapoplectic
  adjective
• apoplectically
  adverb

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.

Related Words

• frozen
• immobile
• inert
• lifeless
• paralyzed
• stagnant
• stationary
• steadfast