| var. of ecto- before a vowel: ectal. |
| a combining form meaning “outer,” “outside,” “external,” used in the formation of compound words: ectoderm. |
[i-lek-troh-kuh
n-vuhl-siv, i-lek-] 
| a treatment for serious mental illnesses, as severe depressive disorders, involving the application to the head of electric current in order to induce a seizure: usually administered after sedatives and muscle relaxants. Abbreviation: ECT |
| ECT abbr. electroconvulsive therapy |
| e·lec·tro·con·vul·sive therapy (ĭ-lěk'trō-kən-vŭl'sĭv) n. Abbr. ECT Administration of electric current to the brain through electrodes placed on the head in order to induce seizure activity in the brain, used in the treatment of certain mental disorders, especially severe depression. Also called electroshock, electroshock therapy. |
ECT abbr.
electroconvulsive therapy
ecto- or ect-
pref.
Outer; external: ectoparasite.
electroconvulsive therapy n.
Abbr. ECT
Administration of electric current to the brain through electrodes placed on the head, usually near the temples, in order to induce unconsciousness and brief convulsions. Used in the treatment of certain mental disorders, especially acute depression. Also called electroshock, electroshock therapy.
| electroconvulsive therapy (ĭ-lěk'trō-kən-vŭl'sĭv) Pronunciation Key
Administration of electric current to the brain through electrodes placed on the head, usually near the temples, in order to induce unconsciousness and brief seizures. It is used in the treatment of certain psychiatric disorders, especially severe depression. |
| ECT electroconvulsive therapy |
