catalepsy
or cat·a·lep·sis
[ kat-l-ep-see ]
nounPathology, Psychiatry.
a physical condition usually associated with catatonic schizophrenia, characterized by suspension of sensation, muscular rigidity, fixity of posture, and often by loss of contact with environment.
Origin of catalepsy
1Other words from catalepsy
- cat·a·lep·tic, adjective, noun
- cat·a·lep·ti·cal·ly, adverb
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British Dictionary definitions for catalepsy
catalepsy
/ (ˈkætəˌlɛpsɪ) /
noun
a state of prolonged rigid posture, occurring for example in schizophrenia or in hypnotic trances
Origin of catalepsy
1C16: from Medieval Latin catalēpsia, variant of Late Latin catalēpsis, from Greek katalēpsis, literally: a seizing, from katalambanein to hold down, from kata- down + lambanein to grasp
Derived forms of catalepsy
- cataleptic, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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