cataplexy

[ kat-uh-plek-see ]

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.

cataplexy

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˌcataˈplectic, adjective

Other Words From

• cat·a·plec·tic [kat-, uh, -, plek, -tik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cataplexy¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of cataplexy¹

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

Example Sentences

Drugs that change dopamine levels in people don’t seem to have big effects on REM sleep and cataplexy, Scammell says.

From Science News