Epilepsy is a brain condition which causes a person to suddenly lose consciousness and sometimes to have fits.
epilepsy in British English
(ˈɛpɪˌlɛpsɪ)
noun
a disorder of the central nervous system characterized by periodic loss of consciousness with or without convulsions. In some cases it is due to brain damage but in others the cause is unknown
See also grand mal, petit mal
Word origin
C16: from Late Latin epilēpsia, from Greek, from epilambanein to attack, seize, from lambanein to take
epilepsy in American English
(ˈɛpəˌlɛpsi)
noun
a recurrent disorder of the nervous system, characterized by seizures of excessive brain activity which cause mental and physical dysfunction, as convulsions, unconsciousness, etc.
see also grand mal, petit mal, psychomotor (sense 2)
Word origin
OFr epilepsie < LL epilepsia < Gr epilēpsia, epilēpsis, lit., a seizure, hence epilepsy < epilambanein, to seize upon < epi-, upon + lambanein, to seize: see latch
Examples of 'epilepsy' in a sentence
epilepsy
The drugs are for epilepsy and to deal with a number of long-term conditions including the management of chronic pain.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A pharmaceuticals company will have to cut dramatically the price of an epilepsy drug after losing its legal action against the competition watchdog.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Will we talk about my brain damage and epilepsy?
Christianity Today (2000)
Since then he has suffered learning difficulties, memory loss and epilepsy and his future remains uncertain.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Around 60 per cent of sufferers have learning difficulties while it can also cause migraines and epilepsy.
The Sun (2013)
Older Scouts will learn how to deal with head injuries and to understand conditions such as epilepsy and meningitis.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
I've been told there could be causes other than epilepsy.
The Sun (2015)
MY daughter's on epilepsy drugs but hasn't had a fit for years.
The Sun (2012)
Word lists with
epilepsy
Human diseases
In other languages
epilepsy
British English: epilepsy NOUN
Epilepsy is a brain condition which causes a person to suddenly lose consciousness and sometimes to have fits.