epilepsy

Etymology

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

noun

  1. (pathology) A medical condition in which the sufferer experiences seizures (or convulsions) and blackouts.

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