epilepsy

noun

ep·​i·​lep·​sy ˈe-pə-ˌlep-sē 

plural epilepsies

: 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

Examples of epilepsy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some believe the holiday takes place in February to honor the anniversary of the death of St. Valentine, the patron saint of lovers, people with epilepsy, and beekeepers, according to Britannica. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025

According to prosecutors, the girl suffered from a rare form of epilepsy and had cognitive impairments. —Nicole Acosta, People.com, 7 Feb. 2025

The grandmother of a teenage girl with epilepsy who died after police said she had been locked in a makeshift cage for extended periods of time has been indicted by a grand jury in Arizona, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office announced. —Michael Dorgan, Fox News, 7 Feb. 2025

In 1993, Charlie, then 11 months, developed a difficult-to-control form of epilepsy. —Chris Koseluk, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1543, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing epilepsy

• anti-epilepsy
• grand mal epilepsy

Rhymes for epilepsy

• catalepsy
• narcolepsy

Kids Definition

epilepsy

noun

ep·​i·​lep·​sy ˈep-ə-ˌlep-sē 

: a disorder marked by abnormal electrical discharges in the brain, by attacks of convulsions, and by loss of consciousness

Medical Definition

epilepsy

noun

ep·​i·​lep·​sy ˈep-ə-ˌlep-sē 

plural epilepsies

: 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 absence epilepsy, grand mal sense 1, petit mal sense 1 focal epilepsy, jacksonian epilepsy, myoclonic epilepsy, temporal lobe epilepsy