Ap"o*plex`y (ăp"?*plĕks`?),
n. [OE. poplexye, LL. poplexia,
apoplexia, fr. Gr. 'apoplhxi`a, fr.
'apoplh`ssein to cripple by a stroke; 'apo` from +
plh`ssein to strike: cf. F. apoplexie. See
Plague.] (Med.) Sudden diminution or loss of
consciousness, sensation, and voluntary motion, usually caused by pressure
on the brain.
☞ The term is now usually limited to cerebral apoplexy, or
loss of consciousness due to effusion of blood or other lesion within the
substance of the brain; but it is sometimes extended to denote an effusion
of blood into the substance of any organ; as, apoplexy of the
lung.