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cataplexy

Pronunciation: /ˈkatəˌplɛksi/
Definition of cataplexy

noun

[mass noun]
  • a medical condition in which strong emotion or laughter causes a person to suffer sudden physical collapse though remaining conscious.

Derivatives

cataplectic

Pronunciation: /-ˈplɛktɪk/
adjective

Origin:

late 19th century: from Greek kataplēxis 'stupefaction', from kataplessein, from kata- 'down' + plēssein 'strike'

cataplexy in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of cataplexy in the US English dictionary

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