Căt'a-lēp'sis or Căt'a-lēp'sy, n.

n. [Gr. κατάληψις, a grasping, a seizing, from καταλαμβάνειν, to seize upon, from κατά, down, and λαμβάνειν, to take, seize.] (Med.) A sudden suspension of the action of the senses and of volition, the body and limbs preserving the position given them, while the action of the heart and lungs continues. Dunglison.