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catalepsy

or cat·a·lep·sis

[kat-l-ep-see]
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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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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
Related formscat·a·lep·tic, adjective, nouncat·a·lep·ti·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for cataleptic

Historical Examples

  • She was visited by no more ‘optical illusions’ or ‘cataleptic’ fits.

    Cruel As The Grave

    Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southworth

  • I was shocked into something like a cataleptic state, and sat dazed for a while.

    Yellowstone Nights

    Herbert Quick

  • In this cataleptic attitude she remained for about a minute.

  • Christina had been in a cataleptic fit, or had been shamming death.

  • Lee never knew how long he remained in a sort of cataleptic state.

    The Brain

    Alexander Blade

British Dictionary definitions for cataleptic

catalepsy

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

Word Origin

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
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 cataleptic

adj.

1680s, from Late Latin catalepticus, from Greek kataleptikos, from kataleptos (see catalepsy). The noun meaning "one affected by catalepsy" is from 1851.

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catalepsy

n.

late 14c., cathalempsia, from Medieval Latin catalepsia, from Late Latin catalepsis, from Greek katalepsis "a seizure, a seizing upon, a taking possession," from kataleptos "seized," from katalambanein "to seize upon," from kata- "down" (see cata-) + lambanein "to take" (see analemma).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
cataleptic in Medicine

catalepsy

(kăt′l-ĕp′sē)
n.
  1. A condition that occurs in a variety of physical and psychological disorders and is characterized by lack of response to external stimuli and by muscular rigidity, so that the limbs remain in whatever position they are placed.
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Related formscat′a•lep′tic (kăt′l-ĕp′tĭk) adj.cat′a•lep′toid′ adj.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.