Definition

A medical condition where a person does not respond to outside stimuli and their muscles become stiff, keeping their limbs in any position they are put in.

Example

During the experiment, the subject experienced catalepsy and remained motionless for several minutes.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of catalepsy?

Yeah, I think it’s that condition where you can’t move at all, right?

Exactly! It's really interesting how the body can just freeze like that.

I read that it can happen during some psychological disorders, which is pretty wild.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Catalepsy → It is formed from "kata-" (meaning down) and "lepsis" (from "lepsis", meaning seizure or attack). The word describes a condition characterized by a seizure-like state where the body becomes rigid and unresponsive, as if in a trance or deep sleep.

Memory Tip

Think of 'down' ('kata-') and 'seizure' ('lepsis') to remember that catalepsy refers to a state where the body is rigid and unresponsive, almost as if it has fallen into a deep trance.

Visually Confused Words