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 Waymo has earned some early supporters by promising to widen access for people with disabilities — including those with epilepsy who are unable to drive and may face insecurities about using traditional public transportation or ride-sharing. Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 15 Mar. 2024 People with epilepsy, particularly those who experience frequent seizures, will often have emergency medications in their possession. Jacob Pellinen, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2024 Tracy Thaxton Berg has been using hemp oil to manage her daughter Riley’s epilepsy. Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 Headaches can also be symptoms of many diseases or conditions such as heart disease, growths or tumors and epilepsy. Daryl Austin, USA TODAY, 15 Feb. 2024 The study’s results suggest that mRNA in extracellular vesicles are likely an ideal biological marker for identifying brain disorders that involve mood, schizophrenia, epilepsy and substance abuse. Angela Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2024 And studies in animals and in people with epilepsy (in particular, individuals who had electrodes implanted in their brains to detect seizures) had implicated other sleep-time rhythms in memory processes. Ingrid Wickelgren, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2024 Prematurity can contribute to cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and mental health disorders such as anxiety, bipolar disorder and depression. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 6 Feb. 2024 Patients with licenses to consume medicinal cannabis have qualifying illnesses such as cancer, Crohn's, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, dementia, epilepsy, autism and post-trauma stress disorder. Theara Coleman, theweek, 14 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'epilepsy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 28 Mar. 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

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