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cataplexy

[ kat-uh-plek-see ]
/ ˈkæt əˌplɛk si /
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noun
Pathology. a condition characterized by sudden, brief attacks of muscle weakness sometimes causing the body to fall helplessly, that is usually triggered by strong emotion: often associated with narcolepsy.

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Origin of cataplexy

1880–85; <German Kataplexie<Greek katáplēxis (with suffix probably by analogy with Apoplexieapoplexy) fixation (of the eyes), equivalent to kataplēk- (variant stem of kataplḗssein to strike down) + -sis-sis

OTHER WORDS FROM cataplexy

cat·a·plec·tic [kat-uh-plek-tik], /ˌkæt əˈplɛk tɪk/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use cataplexy in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for cataplexy

cataplexy
/ (ˈkætəˌplɛksɪ) /

noun
sudden temporary paralysis, brought on by severe shock
a state of complete absence of movement assumed by animals while shamming death

Derived forms of cataplexy

cataplectic, adjective

Word Origin for cataplexy

C19: from Greek kataplēxis amazement, from kataplēssein to strike down (with amazement), confound, from kata- down + plēssein to strike
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
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