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apraxia

[uh-prak-see-uh, ey-prak-]
noun Pathology.
  1. a disorder of the nervous system, characterized by an inability to perform purposeful movements, but not accompanied by a loss of sensory function or paralysis.
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Origin of apraxia

From New Latin, dating back to 1885–90; see origin at a-6, praxis, -ia
Related formsa·prac·tic [uh-prak-tik, ey-prak-] /əˈpræk tɪk, eɪˈpræk-/, a·prax·ic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for apraxia

Historical Examples

  • Similar to apraxia is "aphasia" or loss of ability to speak.

    Psychology

    Robert S. Woodworth

  • The one form of memory disturbance is called "Word Amnesia;" the other is called "Apraxia."

  • When the abscess is on the left side, apraxia and motor aphasia may be present.

British Dictionary definitions for apraxia

apraxia

noun
  1. a disorder of the central nervous system caused by brain damage and characterized by impaired ability to carry out purposeful muscular movements
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Derived Formsapraxic or apractic, adjective

Word Origin

C19: via New Latin from Greek: inactivity, from a- 1 + praxis action
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for apraxia

n.

1877, medical Latin, from German apraxie (H. Steinthal, 1871), from Greek apraxia "inaction," from privative prefix a- (see a- (3)) + praxis "a doing, action, business" (see praxis).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
apraxia in Medicine

apraxia

(ā-prăk′sē-ə)
n.
  1. A disorder of voluntary movement consisting of the partial or complete inability to execute purposeful movements without the impairment of muscular power and coordination.
  2. A psychomotor defect characterized by the inability to make proper use of a known object.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.