epilepsy
nounUK /ˈɛpɪlɛpsi/ · US /ˈɛpɪˌlɛpsi/
Etymology Since 16th century; borrowed from French épilepsie, from Latin epilēpsia, from Ancient Greek ἐπιληψίᾱ (epilēpsíā), from ἐπιλαμβάνω (epilambánō, “to seize”), from ἐπι- (epi-, “upon”) + λαμβάνω (lambánō, “to take”). Displaced native Old English fiellesēocnes (literally “falling sickness”).
1
Medicine, Pathology, Sciences A medical condition in which the sufferer experiences seizures (or convulsions) and blackouts.
- Epilepsies, or fallings and reelings, and beastly vomitings. The least of these, even when the tongue begins to be untied, is a degree of drunkenness.1651, Jer[emy] Taylor, The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Francis Ashe […], →OCLC:
- Derived terms
- antiepilepsy, antiepileptic, epileptic, epileptiform, hysteroepilepsy, migralepsy, northern epilepsy syndrome, oligoepilepsy, severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy
- Related terms
- EEG, falling sickness, grand mal, neurology, petit mal, seizure