Catalepsy

cat;a;lep;sy pronunciation: function: noun inflected form(s): plural cat;a;lep;siesetymology: middle english catalempsi, from medieval latin catalepsia, from late latin catalepsis, from greek katalēpsis, literally, act of seizing, from katalambanein to seize, from kata- + lambanein to take — more at latchdate: 14th century : a trancelike state marked by loss of voluntary motion in which the limbs remain in whatever position they are placed— cat;a;lep;tic adjective or noun — cat;a;lep;ti;cal;ly adverb