Main Entry:

ep·i·lep·sy

Pronunciation:

\ˈe-pə-ˌlep-sē\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural ep·i·lep·sies

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

Date:

1543

: 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