n. [ L. epilepsia, Gr. &unr_; a seizure, the “falling sickness, ” fr. &unr_; to take besides, seize, attack; 'epi` upon, besides + &unr_; to take: cf. F. épilepsie. 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. [ 1913 Webster ]