/ ˈepɪlepsi; NAmE / noun
[ U ] a disorder of the nervous system that causes a person to become unconscious suddenly, often with violent movements of the body
► epi·lep·tic / ˌepɪˈleptɪk; NAmE / adjective :
an epileptic fit
► epi·lep·tic noun :
Is she an epileptic?
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 16th cent.: from French épilepsie , or via late Latin from Greek epilēpsia , from epilambanein seize, attack, from epi upon + lambanein take hold of.