PsychologyAugust 8, 2026

catatonic

KAT-uh-TAH-nik

Definition

A state of physical rigidity, stupor, or unresponsiveness, often associated with severe psychiatric conditions.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek word 'katateinein,' meaning 'to stretch out or strain.' It entered medical terminology in the late 19th century to describe the rigid posture of certain patients.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe extreme, frozen states of behavior that are often misunderstood or oversimplified in public discourse regarding mental health.

Opinion | RFK Jr. Has a Point About Psychiatry. It's Not the One He's Making.

Read the full article ↗

MedPage Today

Related words

aminoquinoline

A chemical compound class derived from quinoline, specifically used in the article to…

Psychology

archetypal

Representing an ideal, universal example or original model of a person, object, or…

Psychology

chronification

The process by which an acute medical or psychiatric condition transitions into a…

Psychology

creaturely

Relating to, characteristic of, or typical of a living, physical, and mortal being, often…

Psychology

daimonic

Referring to an inner, often overwhelming, force or potential that represents the…

Psychology

deuce

A state in a game of tennis where both players are tied at 40-40, requiring one player to…

Psychology

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.