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

The people being studied had this structure surgically cut as part of their treatment for uncontrolled epilepsy, which causes seizures.3 Sperry determined that each side of the brain had specific functions based on the changes experienced by the study participants. —Carrie Madormo, Rn, Health, 28 Oct. 2024

The team made its discoveries during an experiment with 17 people with epilepsy. —Michaela Maya-Mrschtik, Scientific American, 21 Oct. 2024

Medicinal marijuana in Texas is legal only for people with conditions including severe epilepsy, autism, cancer and PTSD. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 21 Oct. 2024

Although it was initially designed to reduce the risk of seizures in people with epilepsy, it’s now been adapted for fat loss and other potential health benefits. —Laura Dorwart, Verywell Health, 3 Oct. 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

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