First Known Use: 1543
Dictionary
epilepsy
noun ep·i·lep·sy \ˈe-pə-ˌlep-sē\
medical : a disorder of the nervous system that can cause people to suddenly become unconscious and to have violent, uncontrolled movements of the body
plural ep·i·lep·sies
Full Definition of EPILEPSY
: any of various disorders marked by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain and typically manifested by sudden brief episodes of altered or diminished consciousness, involuntary movements, or convulsions
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Origin of EPILEPSY
Middle English epilencie, from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French epelempsie, modification of Late Latin epilepsia, from Greek epilēpsia, from epilambanein to seize, from epi- + lambanein to take, seize — more at latch
EPILEPSY Defined for Kids
epilepsy
noun ep·i·lep·sy \ˈe-pə-ˌlep-sē\
Definition of EPILEPSY for Kids
: a disorder of the nervous system that causes people to have seizures
Medical Dictionary
epilepsy
noun ep·i·lep·sy \ˈep-ə-ˌlep-sē\
plural ep·i·lep·sies
Medical Definition of EPILEPSY
: any of various disorders marked by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain and typically manifested by sudden brief episodes of altered or diminished consciousness, involuntary movements, or convulsions—see grand mal, petit mal; focal epilepsy, jacksonian epilepsy, myoclonic epilepsy, temporal lobe epilepsy
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