Definition of apoplexy
1 medical a dated : stroke 5 The medical evidence showed conclusively that death was due to apoplexy. — Arthur Conan Doyleb : gross hemorrhage into a cavity or into the substance of an organ pituitary apoplexy
2 : a state of intense and almost uncontrollable anger … he had irritated his superior into apoplexy … — Kevin Patterson … this latest attraction has sparked apoplexy among some environmentalists. — Jayne Clark
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Examples of apoplexy in a Sentence
Her speech caused apoplexy among the audience members.
Recent Examples of apoplexy from the Web
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In 1954, the Supreme Court’s school desegregation decision threw Southern segregationists into political apoplexy.
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This eccentric, irascible man would have caused occasional — perhaps regular — bouts of apoplexy in homeowners tying their dreams and finances to him.
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Woe betide those with short necks, as they were considered to be at special risk for apoplexy (the term used for sudden seizure or stroke).
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Kellyanne Conway will have to suffice as the Angie Dickinson token blonde and all-around fun gal, eclipsed in the public eye by Sean Spicer’s virtuoso performances of steampunk apoplexy as White House press secretary.
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The mere, unprovoked mention of the potential of nuclear holocaust was enough to incite total apoplexy on Twitter.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'apoplexy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of apoplexy
Middle English apoplexie, from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin apoplexia, from Greek apoplēxia, from apoplēssein to cripple by a stroke, from apo- + plēssein to strike — more at plaint
Medical Dictionary
apoplexy
playMedical Definition of apoplexy
apoplexies
1dated : stroke In apoplexy or “stroke” … an artery in the brain either ruptures and bleeds or is blocked.—Morris Fishbein, The Modern Family Health Guide, 1959
2: copious hemorrhage into a cavity or into the substance of an organ abdominal apoplexy adrenal apoplexy
Learn More about apoplexy
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See words that rhyme with apoplexy Spanish Central: Translation of apoplexy Nglish: Translation of apoplexy for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of apoplexy for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about apoplexy
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