epileptic

[ ep-uh-lep-tik ]

adjective

1. pertaining to or symptomatic of epilepsy.

noun

1. a person affected by epilepsy.

epileptic

/ ˌɛpɪˈlɛptɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or having epilepsy

noun

1. a person who has epilepsy

Usage

Rather than talking about an epileptic or epileptics , it is better to talk about a person with epilepsy and people with epilepsy

Derived Forms

• ˌepiˈleptically, adverb

Other Words From

• epi·lepti·cal·ly adverb
• anti·epi·leptic adjective noun
• nonep·i·leptic adjective noun
• postep·i·leptic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of epileptic¹

First recorded in 1600–10; from Late Latin epilēpticus, from Greek epilēptikós, from epílēpt(os) ( epilepsy ) + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

Following the first investigation, families were told by the Crown Prosecution Service that the driver would not be charged as she had suffered an epileptic seizure.

From BBC

Senior coroner Tanyka Rawden was told on Wednesday that he was denied a referral to specialist services after complaining of episodes thought to have been brought on by epileptic seizures.

From BBC

Giving evidence, Professor Markus Reuber, honorary consultant at the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said those who were epileptic were more likely to be depressed and it was “extremely common” for people to have mental health issues such as anxiety after seizures.

From BBC

Consultant paediatric neurologist Dr Mark Atherton told the court scans revealed Joshua had sustained severe brain damage caused by low blood pressure and was suffering from symptomatic epileptic seizures.

From BBC

"James Madison was epileptic. Franklin Roosevelt was paralyzed. John F. Kennedy had Addison's disease, ulcerative colitis and chronic pain. George Washington, Woodrow Wilson, Dwight Eisenhower and Thomas Jefferson were all known to have learning disabilities. Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton both had/have hearing impairments. And Joe Biden has a stutter, a disability that can affect his speech. I hope all of those examples can disabuse our nation of the idea that the presence of a disability alone can or should be disqualifying for a president."

From Salon