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DictionaryRoot: lambanein
Greek

lambanein

to take

2 / 4
A two-moment clinical sequence shows a vacant-eyed patient retaining the same rigid arm position after the clinician releases it, while remaining unresponsive to his visible attempt to attract her attention.
adjective / noun

cataleptic

kat-uh-LEP-tik/ˌkætəˈleptɪk/

Relating to or affected by a trance-like state with rigid muscles and reduced responsiveness.

Etymology
cataGreekdown; against; thoroughly
+leptGreekto take
+icGreekconnected with or characteristic of

“Down” and “take” combine in the underlying verb “seize upon,” whose participle meant “seized.” The adjective describes someone affected by catalepsy—the state characterized by muscular rigidity.

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