cataplexy

[ kat-uh-plek-see ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

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.

cataplexy

/ ˈkætəˌplɛksɪ /

noun

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

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Derived Forms

ˌcataˈplectic, adjective

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Other Words From

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

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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

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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

cataplasm catapult

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