paralysis

American  

[puh-ral-uh-sis] / pəˈræl ə sɪs /

noun

plural

paralyses

1. Pathology.

   1. a loss or impairment of voluntary movement in a body part, caused by injury or disease of the nerves, brain, or spinal cord.

   2. a disease characterized by this, especially palsy.

2. a state of helpless stoppage, inactivity, or inability to act.

   The strike caused a paralysis of all shipping.

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paralysis British  

/ pəˈrælɪsɪs /

noun

1. pathol

   1. impairment or loss of voluntary muscle function or of sensation ( sensory paralysis ) in a part or area of the body, usually caused by a lesion or disorder of the muscles or the nerves supplying them

   2. a disease characterized by such impairment or loss; palsy

2. cessation or impairment of activity

   paralysis of industry by strikes

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paralysis Scientific  

/ pə-răl′ĭ-sĭs /

1. Loss or impairment of voluntary movement or sensation in a part of the body, usually as a result of neurologic injury or disease.

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paralysis Cultural  

1. The loss of voluntary movement in a body part. Paralysis results from damage to the nerves that supply the affected part of the body.

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Other Word Forms

• nonparalysis noun
• semiparalysis noun

Etymology

Origin of paralysis

before 1150; < Latin < Greek parálysis, equivalent to paraly-, var stem of paralȳ́ein to loosen (i.e., disable) on one side ( para- para- ¹ + lȳ́ein to loosen) + -sis -sis; replacing Middle English paralisi ( e ) < Old French < Latin, as above; replacing late Old English paralisin (accusative) < Latin, as above; palsy ¹

Compare meaning

How does paralysis compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• paresis vs. paralysis

Example Sentences

Within days, American industries from defense to electric vehicles faced paralysis, and the chokehold affected several other critical sectors: semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, chemicals.

From The Wall Street Journal

A storm that might once have caused minor inconvenience now brings the system close to paralysis.

From Salon

Argentina’s fragmented Congress typically wields strong leverage over presidents who lack a majority, forcing them to negotiate constantly with provincial power brokers to avoid paralysis.

From The Wall Street Journal

One key to bracing for a potential layoff is overcoming the paralysis that tends to grip us when we sense trouble.

From The Wall Street Journal

This situation is causing a kind of paralysis throughout the party.

From Salon

Related Words

• apathy
• laziness
• passivity
• sluggishness