palsy

¹

[pawl-zee]

noun

plural

palsies 

1. any of a variety of atonal muscular conditions characterized by tremors of the body parts, as the hands, arms, or legs, or of the entire body.

2. paralysis.

verb (used with object)

palsied, palsying 

1. to paralyze.

palsy

²

[pal-zee]

adjective

Slang.

1. palsy-walsy.

palsy

/ ˈpɔːlzɪ /

noun

1. paralysis, esp of a specified type

   cerebral palsy

verb

1. to paralyse

Other Word Forms

• palsylike adjective
• palsied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of palsy¹

1250–1300; Middle English, variant of parlesie < Middle French paralisie < Latin paralysis paralysis

Origin of palsy²

First recorded in 1925–30; pal + -sy

Word History and Origins

Origin of palsy¹

C13 palesi, from Old French paralisie, from Latin _paralysis

Example Sentences

When Chantal Chaervey's son with cerebral palsy lost access to healthcare services at 18, she did not imagine she would be fighting four years on to change this.

From BBC

Diagnosed with cerebral palsy as an infant, he spent his first three months at a public hospital where the family lives in Orange County.

From Los Angeles Times

Chaney uses crutches to walk short distances and his mobility scooter to travel longer distances because of his cerebral palsy.

From Los Angeles Times

Wren has cerebral palsy, affecting her speech, all four of her limbs and her posture, meaning she needs help with everyday activities.

From BBC

Williams is a full-time caregiver for both her daughter, who is blind and has cerebral palsy, and her sister, who is a veteran living with severe post-traumatic stress disorder.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• demolish 
• destroy 
• disable 
• freeze 
• halt 
• incapacitate 
• knock out 
• stun 
• weaken