[In Ger. kataplexie, mod. f. Gr. κατάπληξις (Hippocrates) stupefaction, f. καταπλήσσ-ειν to strike down with terror or the like.] The temporary paralysis or hypnotic state in animals when ‘shamming death.’
1883. Romanes, Ment. Evol. Anim., xviii. 308. The researches of Professor Preyer on the hypnotism of animals … showed that fright is a strong predisposing cause of ‘Kalaplexy,’ or mesmeric sleep in animals…. He ascribes the shamming dead of insects to the exclusive influence of kataplexy.
