catalepsy

American  

[kat-l-ep-see] / ˈkæt lˌɛp si /

Or catalepsis

noun

Pathology, Psychiatry.

1. a physical condition usually associated with catatonic schizophrenia, characterized by suspension of sensation, muscular rigidity, fixity of posture, and often by loss of contact with environment.

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catalepsy British  

/ ˈkætəˌlɛpsɪ /

noun

1. a state of prolonged rigid posture, occurring for example in schizophrenia or in hypnotic trances

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Other Word Forms

• cataleptic adjective
• cataleptically adverb

Etymology

Origin of catalepsy

1350–1400; < Medieval Latin catalēpsia, variant of Late Latin catalēpsis < Greek katálēpsis seizure (akin to katalambánein to hold down), equivalent to kata- cata- + lêpsis a grasping ( lēp-, variant stem of lambánein to grasp + -sis -sis ); replacing Middle English cathalempsia < Medieval Latin

Compare meaning

How does catalepsy compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• cataplexy vs. catalepsy

Example Sentences

It is suspected to be a case of catalepsy, hospital sources told Spanish news channel Telecinco.

From BBC

The book contains an admirably-described case of catalepsy, which is equally well explained.

From Project Gutenberg

When the Thyroid was discontinued the catalepsy grew worse, the exophthalmic goitre better; when resumed the catalepsy better, the exophthalmic goitre worse.

From Project Gutenberg

I had never heard of anything like it except the trance which leads to canonization, or the catalepsy that baffles science.

From Project Gutenberg

When persistent it is tonic spasm or cramp, catalepsy, tetanus; when the relaxations alternate with the contractions, it is clonic spasm, as in epilepsy, convulsive hysteria, chorea, &c.—n.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• coma
• rapture
• reverie
• stupor
• unconsciousness