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epilepsy

American  
[ep-uh-lep-see] / ˈɛp əˌlɛp si /

noun

Pathology.

  1. a disorder of the nervous system, characterized either by mild, episodic loss of attention or sleepiness petit mal or by severe convulsions with loss of consciousness grand mal.

epilepsy British  
/ ˈɛpɪˌlɛpsɪ /

noun

  1. a disorder of the central nervous system characterized by periodic loss of consciousness with or without convulsions. In some cases it is due to brain damage but in others the cause is unknown See also grand mal petit mal

"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
epilepsy Scientific  
/ ĕp′ə-lĕp′sē /

  1. Any of various neurological disorders characterized by recurrent seizures. Epilepsy is caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain.

epilepsy Cultural  

  1. A disorder of the brain characterized by sudden, recurring attacks of abnormal brain function, often resulting in convulsions or seizures. The seizures associated with epilepsy can sometimes be controlled by medication.

Etymology

Origin of epilepsy

First recorded in 1570–80; from Old French epilepsie, from Late Latin epilēpsia, from Greek epilēpsía “epileptic seizure,” derivative of epilambánein “to take hold of, seize, attack”; epi-, -lepsy ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Arlo spent around three-and-a-half weeks in hospital before he was discharged but has since developed epilepsy and takes medication to control seizures.

From BBC

He was probably afflicted by epilepsy, a condition that usually went unnamed to avoid public shame.

From The Wall Street Journal

The girl has severe cerebral palsy, is unable to walk or talk, has severe visual impairment and epilepsy, and requires continuous 24-hour care.

From BBC

Amid the stress, she was diagnosed with epilepsy, which added some big healthcare bills to her woes.

From The Wall Street Journal

One, a 29-year-old self-employed publicist in Los Angeles requires medication for epilepsy.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.