apoplexy

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   dated: sudden unconsciousness or paralysis caused by a stroke or cerebral hemorrhage

   The old report listed apoplexy as the cause of death.

2. 2
   noun

   a state of extreme anger or indignant agitation

   The suggestion sent the committee chair into apoplexy.

From Old French apoplexie and Late Latin apoplexia, from Greek apoplēxía ("paralysis from a stroke"), based on apoplḗssein ("to strike down or disable"): apo- ("away, off") + plḗssein ("to strike"). The anger sense is a later exaggeration of the sudden medical seizure.

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