a. and sb. [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. World, 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. M. Hamilton, Nerv. Dis., 85. Certain elements of the apoplectic attack.
2. Suffering from, or showing symptoms of, apoplexy. Also fig.
1721. in Bailey.
1743. trans. Heister’s Surg., 354. The Operation has been twice performed by me on two apoplectic Patients.
c. 1812. Miss Austen, Mansf. Pk. (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. trans. 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. sb. One liable to, or suffering from, apoplexy.
a. 1670. Hacket, Abp. Williams, II. (1693), 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.
