Bell's palsy
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of Bell's palsy
1855–60; named after Charles Bell (1774–1842), Scottish anatomist, who first described it
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Ms. Ruhl, in addition to being one of the most inventive dramatists working today, also wrote a beautiful memoir, “Smile,” about her struggles with Bell’s palsy, a neurological disorder that affects the face muscles.
From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 31, 2025
Kennedy has said one of his sons developed Bell’s palsy from Lyme and that one son developed severe, debilitating chronic Lyme.
From Slate • Dec. 19, 2025
Amy said that while she understands why Tulisa chose to undergo several bouts of surgery to deal with the effects of Bell's palsy, she had decided against them.
From BBC • Nov. 24, 2024
Renee France, 49, a physical therapist in Seattle, developed Bell’s palsy — a form of facial paralysis, usually temporary — and a dramatic rash that neatly bisected her face.
From New York Times • May 3, 2024
Bell's palsy is sometimes followed in the face by a tendency to twitching on the unaffected side that makes the patient quite uncomfortable.
From Psychotherapy by Walsh, James J. (James Joseph)
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
