Epilepsy

Ep″i‐lep′sy (?), n. [L. epilepsia, Gr. � a seizure, the “falling sickness,” fr. � to take besides, seize, attack; επἴ upon, besides + � to take: cf. F. épilepsie. Cf. Catalepsy.] (Med.) The “falling sickness,” so called because the patient falls suddenly to the ground; a disease characterized by paroxysms (or fits) occurring at interval and attended by sudden loss of consciousness, and convulsive motions of the muscles. Dunglison.