a toxic condition of unknown cause that sometimes develops in the last three months of pregnancy, characterized by high blood pressure, abnormal weight gain and convulsions
Compare pre-eclampsia
2.
another name for milk fever (in cattle)
Derived forms
eclamptic (ecˈlamptic)
adjective
Word origin
C19: from New Latin, from Greek eklampsis a shining forth, from eklampein, from lampein to shine
eclampsia in American English
(ɛkˈlæmpsiə)
noun
an attack of convulsions; specif., a disorder that may occur late in pregnancy, characterized by convulsions, edema, and elevated blood pressure
Word origin
ModL < Gr eklampsis, a shining forth < ek-, out + lampein, to shine: see lamp