paralyse

/ ˈpærəˌlaɪz /

verb

1. pathol to affect with paralysis

2. med to render (a part of the body) insensitive to pain, touch, etc, esp by injection of an anaesthetic

3. to make immobile; transfix

Other Word Forms

• paralysation noun
• paralyser noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of paralyse¹

C19: from French paralyser, from paralysie _paralysis

Example Sentences

She is under general anaesthesia: unconscious, insensate and rendered completely still by a blend of drugs that induce deep sleep, block memory, blunt pain and temporarily paralyse her muscles.

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When Australia were hit by the fastest day of England bowling in Test cricket – a collective average of 87.6mph – there were times when the numbers on the big screen were paralysed.

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Since the attack, Tigist says she's been unable to leave her house, paralysed by fear of men and the outside world.

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Its goal: oust the junta, which has struggled to contain Mali's decade-long insurgency since taking power following back-to-back coups in 2020 and 2021, by scaring away investors and paralysing the west African country's economy.

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Residents push depleted motorcycles through the city's dusty roads, frustrated by the fuel blockade that has paralysed Mali for more than two months.

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