catalepsy

Or cat·a·lep·sis

[kat-l-ep-see]

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.

catalepsy

/ ˈkætəˌlɛpsɪ /

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• cataleptic adjective
• cataleptically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of catalepsy¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of catalepsy¹

C16: from Medieval Latin catalēpsia, variant of Late Latin catalēpsis, from Greek katalēpsis, literally: a seizing, from katalambanein to hold down, from kata- down + lambanein to grasp

Example Sentences

“That cancels an android into catalepsy,” Rachael said, her eyes shut.

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

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

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

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

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Related Words

• coma 
• rapture 
• reverie 
• stupor 
• unconsciousness