apoplectic, a. and n.
(æpəʊˈplɛktɪk)
[ad. Fr. apoplectique (16th c. in Littré) or L. apoplēcticus, a. Gr. ἀποπληκτικός apoplectic, f. ἀπόπληκτος disabled by a stroke, f. ἀποπλήσσειν: see apoplexy and -ic.]
A. adj.
1. Of, pertaining to, or causing, apoplexy.
| 1611 Beaum. & Fl. Triumph. Hon. i, An apoplectic fit I use to have, After my heats in war carelessly cool'd. 1762 Goldsm. Cit. W. xviii. (1837) 68 Choang fell lifeless in an apoplectic fit upon the floor. 1839 Dickens Nich. Nick. xxxv. (C.D. ed.) 279 One of your stiff-starched apoplectic cravats. 1878 A. Hamilton Nerv. Dis. 85 Certain elements of the apoplectic attack. |
2. Suffering from, or showing symptoms of, apoplexy. Also fig.
| 1721 in Bailey. 1743 tr. Heister's Surg. 354 The Operation has been twice performed by me on two apoplectic Patients. c 1812 Jane Austen Mansf. Park (1851) 17 A short-necked, apoplectic sort of fellow. 1837 Dickens Pickw. (1847) 216/1 A gentleman with an apoplectic countenance. 1863 Kemble Res. Georgia 61 The swollen, apoplectic-looking cotton bags. |
† 3. Of use against apoplexy; = antapoplectic.
| 1678 tr. Charras' Royal Pharmac. 214 This Balsom bears the Name of Apoplectick by reason it is a great Remedy against Apoplexies. 1704 Addison Italy (1766) 47 Apoplectic balsam. 1753 Bailey, Apoplectick..good against the apoplexy. [Not in Johnson.] |
B. n. One liable to, or suffering from, apoplexy.
| a 1670 Hacket Abp. Williams II. 134 (D.) So often we see there is life in an apoplectick, though he seem to be dead. 1725 Bradley Fam. Dict. s.v. Lethargy, Those who fall into it should be manag'd as pituitous Apoplecticks. |