eclampsia

American  

[ih-klamp-see-uh] / ɪˈklæmp si ə /

noun

Pathology.

1. a form of toxemia of pregnancy, characterized by albuminuria, hypertension, and convulsions.

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eclampsia British  

/ ɪˈklæmpsɪə /

noun

1. pathol a toxic condition of unknown cause that sometimes develops in the last three months of pregnancy, characterized by high blood pressure, abnormal weight gain and convulsions Compare pre-eclampsia

2. another name for milk fever (in cattle)

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Other Word Forms

• eclamptic adjective

Etymology

Origin of eclampsia

1855–60; < New Latin < Greek éklamps ( is ) sudden development ( ek- ec- + lámp ( ein ) to shine + -sis -sis + -ia -ia

Compare meaning

How does eclampsia compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• preeclampsia vs. eclampsia