n. 1. Sudden impairment of neurological function, especially that resulting from a cerebral hemorrhage; a stroke. 2. A sudden effusion of blood into an organ or tissue. 3. A fit of extreme anger; rage: "The proud ... members suffered collective apoplexy, and this year they are out for blood" (David Finch). [Middle English apoplexie, from Old French, from Late Latin apoplēxia, from Greek apoplēxiā, from apoplēssein, apoplēg-, to cripple by a stroke : apo-, intensive pref.; see APO- + plēssein, to strike; see plāk-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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