epilepsy

noun

ep·​i·​lep·​sy ˈe-pə-ˌlep-sē How to pronounce epilepsy (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Detroit Free Press As the mother of a young daughter who has epilepsy, Gema Lowe often needs to pick up and purchase necessary medicine for her child at a local pharmacy. Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 14 Dec. 2024 An operation in 1920 to treat his epilepsy led to partial paralysis in both of his legs. Abby Wilson, theweek, 13 Dec. 2024 The family, which includes mom Dexy Amador and three younger sisters, Lidia, 7, Amy, 4, and Mary, 8 months, moved to the U.S. from Honduras eight years ago to find better medical care for Antonio, who has epilepsy and did not have access to the right medication as a baby. Nicole Villalpando, Austin American-Statesman, 2 Dec. 2024 Abrahams was the founder of the Charlie Foundation for Ketogenic Therapies, a nonprofit that fights epilepsy, other neurological disorders and select cancers and is named after his son. David Matthews, New York Daily News, 26 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for epilepsy 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of epilepsy was in 1543

Dictionary Entries Near epilepsy

Cite this Entry

“Epilepsy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epilepsy. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

epilepsy

noun
ep·​i·​lep·​sy ˈep-ə-ˌlep-sē How to pronounce epilepsy (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce epilepsy (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on epilepsy

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!