apraxia

[ uh-prak-see-uh, ey-prak- ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a disorder of the nervous system, characterized by an inability to perform purposeful movements, but not accompanied by a loss of sensory function or paralysis.

apraxia

/ əˈpræksɪə /

noun

1. a disorder of the central nervous system caused by brain damage and characterized by impaired ability to carry out purposeful muscular movements

Derived Forms

• aˈpraxic, adjective

Other Words From

• a·prac·tic [uh, -, prak, -tik, ey-, prak, -], a·praxic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of apraxia¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1885–90; a- ⁶, praxis, -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of apraxia¹

C19: via New Latin from Greek: inactivity, from a- ¹+ praxis action

Example Sentences

According to Braun, her son Killian was born with a neurological condition that affects his speech, called childhood apraxia of speech.

From Fox News

My father’s speaking voice had not been shaped by his apraxia, I realized, but from years of negotiating volatile courtroom situations as a lawyer.

From Salon

Holly Anderson is a Utah mother of four, including a 3-year-old son with autism and apraxia of speech.

From Washington Times

Thanks to apraxia, even that is mostly unintelligible, except to those who know me well.

From Wall Street Journal

Fun-loving and affectionate, Joey had worked hard to “meet the milestones that came so easily to her older sisters,” after being diagnosed with autism, global apraxia and apraxia of speech.

From The Guardian