apoplectic

[ ap-uh-plek-tik ]

adjective

1. of or relating to apoplexy or stroke.
2. having or inclined to apoplexy.
3. intense enough to threaten or cause apoplexy:

   an apoplectic rage.

4. extremely angry; furious:

   He became apoplectic at the mere mention of the subject.

noun

1. a person having or predisposed to apoplexy. apoplexy.

apoplectic

/ ˌæpəˈplɛktɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to apoplexy
2. informal.
   furious

noun

1. a person having apoplexy

Derived Forms

• ˌapoˈplectically, adverb

Other Words From

• apo·plecti·cal·ly adverb
• postap·o·plectic adjective
• pseudo·apo·plectic adjective
• pseudo·apo·plecti·cal adjective
• pseudo·apo·plecti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of apoplectic¹

First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin apoplēcticus, from Greek apoplēktikós “pertaining to a (paralytic) stroke,” equivalent to apóplēkt(os) “struck down” (derivative of apoplḗssein ) + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

Democrats in Michigan — one of the states likely to determine which party wins the White House — were apoplectic.

From Los Angeles Times

She continued that by the time she got home she had been "apoplectic with rage”, and had been "crying all night” because of her experience.

From BBC

But people were downright apoplectic about the idea of Dobson leaving her cart unrestrained.

From Los Angeles Times

Rodgers was apoplectic at half-time, the angriest he had ever been as a manager, he said later.

From BBC

And she was convinced that the thing that would send him into apoplectic, inconsolable sorrow was if the German shepherd — if that was the head in the box.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• frozen
• immobile
• inert
• lifeless
• paralyzed
• stagnant
• stationary
• steadfast