cataplexy

cat·a·plex·y

C c

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [kat-uh-plek-see]
- /ˈkæt əˌplɛk si/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [kat-uh-plek-see]
- /ˈkæt əˌplɛk si/

Definitions of cataplexy word

noun cataplexy sudden temporary paralysis, brought on by severe shock 3
noun cataplexy a state of complete absence of movement assumed by animals while shamming death 3
noun cataplexy Pathology. a condition characterized by sudden, brief attacks of muscle weakness sometimes causing the body to fall helplessly, that is usually triggered by strong emotion: often associated with narcolepsy. 1
noun cataplexy A medical condition in which strong emotion or laughter causes a person to suffer sudden physical collapse though remaining conscious. 1
noun cataplexy (medicine) An abrupt loss of muscle tone, sometimes associated with narcolepsy. 0

See all 5 definitions of cataplexy

Information block about the term

Origin of cataplexy

First appearance:

before 1880

One of the 23% newest English words

1880-85; < German Kataplexie < Greek katáplēxis (with suffix probably by analogy with Apoplexie apoplexy) fixation (of the eyes), equivalent to kataplēk- (variant stem of kataplḗssein to strike down) + -sis -sis

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Cataplexy

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Cataplexy

cataplexy popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 59% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.

This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

cataplexy usage trend in Literature

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