Ep"i*lep`sy (?), n. [L. epilepsia, Gr. a seizure, the "falling sickness," fr. to take besides, seize, attack; upon, besides + to take: cf. F. 'epilepsie. 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.
© Webster 1913.