adjective / noun

cataleptic

kat-uh-LEP-tik/ˌkætəˈleptɪk/

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

The clinician observes the patient's rigid posture during a cataleptic episode.

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.

Etymology

cataGreekdown

+leptGreekto take

+icGreekpertaining to

“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.

In context

Storytime Haven614:57

Cataleptic, too, if not also epileptic.

Kim by Rudyard Kipling 📚✨ | A Tale of Adventure and Espionage in India

More examples

The case report describes a cataleptic state.
The patient becomes cataleptic and responds very little.
The older textbook refers to affected patients as cataleptics.

Forms

cataleptic · cataleptics

Similar words

catatonic: Relates to a broader disturbance of movement and responsiveness.
unresponsive: Does not necessarily include the characteristic muscular rigidity.