cataplexy

American  

[kat-uh-plek-see] / ˈkæt əˌplɛk si /

noun

1. 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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cataplexy British  

/ ˈkætəˌplɛksɪ /

noun

1. sudden temporary paralysis, brought on by severe shock

2. a state of complete absence of movement assumed by animals while shamming death

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Other Word Forms

• cataplectic adjective

Etymology

Origin of cataplexy

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

Compare meaning

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

• cataplexy vs. catalepsy

Example Sentences

The advisory committee recommended the agency approve Xyrem for narcolepsy with cataplexy, which it did in 2002.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 12, 2021

The attacks of cataplexy were fast — like a switch that clicks off then on again.

From New York Times • Jun. 3, 2020

She suffers from cataplexy, a real medical condition in which she is momentarily paralyzed whenever she experiences strong emotion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 2, 2018

Over the years, to hold his cataplexy at bay, Nicholls has learned to instinctively subdue his emotions.

From The Guardian • Feb. 25, 2018

Next take another group of massive effects produced on the nervous system by external stimuli;—those forms, namely, of trance and cataplexy which are due to sudden shock.

From Human Personality and its Survival of Bodily Death by Myers, F. W. H. (Frederic William Henry)