epilepsy

Since 16th century; borrowed from French épilepsie, from Latin epilēpsia, from Ancient Greek ἐπιληψίᾱ (epilēpsíā), from ἐπιλαμβάνω (epilambánō, “I seize”), from ἐπι- (epi-, “upon”) + λαμβάνω (lambánō, “I take”). Displaced native Old English fiellesēocnes (literally “falling sickness”).

• IPA^(key): /ˈɛpɪlɛpsi/

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• Hyphenation: ep‧i‧lep‧sy

epilepsy (countable and uncountable, plural epilepsies)

1. (pathology) A medical condition in which the sufferer experiences seizures (or convulsions) and blackouts.
   • 1651, Jer[emy] Taylor, The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Francis Ashe […], →OCLC:

     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.

• epileptic
• epileptiform
• severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy

• falling sickness
• grand mal
• petit mal