epilepsy

[ ep-uh-lep-see ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a disorder of the nervous system, characterized either by mild, episodic loss of attention or sleepiness petit mal or by severe convulsions with loss of consciousness grand mal.

epilepsy

/ ˈɛpɪˌlɛpsɪ /

noun

1. See petit mal, grand mal
   a disorder of the central nervous system characterized by periodic loss of consciousness with or without convulsions. In some cases it is due to brain damage but in others the cause is unknown See also grand mal petit mal

epilepsy

/ ĕp′ə-lĕp′sē /

1. Any of various neurological disorders characterized by recurrent seizures. Epilepsy is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

epilepsy

1. A disorder of the brain characterized by sudden, recurring attacks of abnormal brain function, often resulting in convulsions or seizures. The seizures associated with epilepsy can sometimes be controlled by medication.

Word History and Origins

Origin of epilepsy¹

First recorded in 1570–80; from Old French epilepsie, from Late Latin epilēpsia, from Greek epilēpsía “epileptic seizure,” derivative of epilambánein “to take hold of, seize, attack”; epi-, -lepsy ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of epilepsy¹

C16: from Late Latin epilēpsia, from Greek, from epilambanein to attack, seize, from lambanein to take

Example Sentences

The condition can be present at birth, but people can develop epilepsy over the course of their lifetime, as Ruppert did.

From Washington Post

Under this law, private companies have been able to bring patients hundreds of treatments—including the epilepsy drug Lyrica, the ovarian and breast cancer therapy Taxol, and the multiple sclerosis medication Tcelna.

From Fortune

I’ve made an application to self-quarantine on the basis of epilepsy.

From Ozy

However, looking ahead, the study is a sure-footed step towards transforming a powerful research technology into a clinical therapy that could potentially help people with neurological problems, such as depression or epilepsy.

From Singularity Hub 

The heart of Mo-DBRS’s brain recording and stimulation setup is a medical device called NeuroPace, which is often implanted inside the skull to help epilepsy patients control their seizures.

From Singularity Hub 

Naturalism tells us that mystics had temporal lobe epilepsy.

From The Daily Beast

Compulsive writing, or hypergraphia, is a well-known, if uncommon, symptom of temporal lobe epilepsy.

From The Daily Beast

The connection between temporal lobe epilepsy and creativity is well known.

From The Daily Beast

There are many written descriptions of physical disabilities, epilepsy, and mental illness from all eras.

From The Daily Beast

In the 18th century, epilepsy marked a person as evil, full of sin, possessed by the devil.

From The Daily Beast

This indicates that cases of epilepsy comparatively rarely come under observation after the age of forty.

From Project Gutenberg

No family history of epilepsy, insanity, nervous or other hereditary disorders in 59 per cent.

From Project Gutenberg

The clinical aspects of epilepsy are especially difficult to investigate with exactitude.

From Project Gutenberg

From these details it is evident that epilepsy is not of necessity associated with impairment of the physical or mental health.

From Project Gutenberg

Another variety of epilepsy is that which is characterized by the time at which the attacks occur.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• contraction
• cramp
• paroxysm
• seizure
• tremor