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a physical condition usually associated with catatonic schizophrenia, characterized by suspension of sensation, muscular rigidity, fixity of posture, and often by loss of contact with environment.
Historical Examples

Won’t the effect be similar to hypnosis whereby a man is reduced to a cataleptic state?
The End of Time Wallace West

She was visited by no more ‘optical illusions’ or ‘cataleptic’ fits.
Cruel As The Grave Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southworth

Their weight seemed to require a sort of cataleptic state of the muscles of the jaw, to enable them to hold on.
A Popular Account of Dr. Livingstone’s Expedition to the Zambesi and Its Tributaries David Livingstone

Christina had been in a cataleptic fit, or had been shamming death.
Curiosities of Olden Times S. Baring-Gould

Thus, if M. Janet clenched her fist in the cataleptic state, her arm began to deal blows, and her face assumed a look of anger.
Real Ghost Stories William T. Stead

This lasted for about a week, and then she was, as the description says, “depressed and cataleptic.”
Benign Stupors August Hoch

No resistance, but cataleptic tendencies were still seen occasionally.
Benign Stupors August Hoch

The most striking of these is still the cataleptic state, which they cause at will.
Modern Magic Maximilian Schele de Vere

The figure sits and leans forward in the chair, straining and rigid, cataleptic with horror.
The Last of the Legions and Other Tales of Long Ago Arthur Conan Doyle

“cataleptic,” said the professor, peering at him through his glasses.
Double Trouble Herbert Quick

noun
a state of prolonged rigid posture, occurring for example in schizophrenia or in hypnotic trances
adj.

1680s, from Late Latin catalepticus, from Greek kataleptikos, from kataleptos (see catalepsy). The noun meaning “one affected by catalepsy” is from 1851.
n.

late 14c., cathalempsia, from Medieval Latin catalepsia, from Late Latin catalepsis, from Greek katalepsis “a seizure, a seizing upon, a taking possession,” from kataleptos “seized,” from katalambanein “to seize upon,” from kata- “down” (see cata-) + lambanein “to take” (see analemma).

catalepsy cat·a·lep·sy (kāt’l-ěp’sē)
n.
A condition that occurs in a variety of physical and psychological disorders and is characterized by lack of response to external stimuli and by muscular rigidity, so that the limbs remain in whatever position they are placed.
cat’a·lep’tic (kāt’l-ěp’tĭk) adj.
cat’a·lep’toid’ adj.