athetosisPath.|æθɪˈtəʊsɪs|[f.Gr.ἄθετος without position or place + -osis.]A form of cerebral palsy, chiefly affecting children, characterized by continuous slow involuntary movements of the extremities. Hence athetoid|ˈæθɪtɔɪd|, athetotic|æθɪˈtɒtɪk|adjs., pertaining to or characteristic of athetosis.1871W. A. HammondTreat.Dis.NervousSyst.654Under the name of athetosis..I propose to describe an affection which..is mainly characterized by an inability to retain the fingers and toes in any position.1875Proc.Amer.Neurol.Assoc.I. 193 (title)A case of athetoid affection.1882Edin.Med.Jrnl.XXVII. 971 (title)Athetosis and athetoid movements in the insane.1897Trans.Amer.PediatricSoc.IX. 158In the analysis of 151 cases of cerebral paralysis in children..he found..athetosis six times.1898Dawson WilliamsMed.Dis.Inf. 562The general character of athetotic movements.1910Practitioner July 64The right side of the face was then noticed to be paretic in its lower half, and there were athetoid movements of the right arm and leg.Ibid.99In some cases of hemiplegia due to encephalitis, choreiform or athetotic movements have been observed in the affected limbs.1962Lancet 26 May 1131/2Although the athetosis ceased within fifteen minutes, respiration did not drop to 16 for ninety minutes.