Apoplectic

This word has changed a bit since Webster's days.

These days apoplectic is more likely to mean extremely angry, to the point of loosing control of ones temper. 'Apoplectic' usually stops short of violence, but not much short. This may come from the use of the word apoplexy to mean 'an effusion of blood', thus, it would refer to someone white-faced with anger. (Ironically, some dictionaries will use 'red-faced with anger' as a synonym).

Pronounced apeh-plektik.

Ap`o*plec"tic (#)(#) Ap`o*plec"tic*al (#), a. [L. apoplecticus, Gr. , fr. : cf. F. apoplectique. See Apoplexy.]

Relating to apoplexy; affected with, inclined to, or symptomatic of, apoplexy; as, an apoplectic person, medicine, habit or temperament, symptom, fit, or stroke.

© Webster 1913.

Ap`o*plec"tic, n.

One liable to, or affected with, apoplexy.

© Webster 1913.