paralysis
- Pathology.
- a loss or impairment of voluntary movement in a body part, caused by injury or disease of the nerves, brain, or spinal cord.
- a disease characterized by this, especially palsy.
- a state of helpless stoppage, inactivity, or inability to act: The strike caused a paralysis of all shipping.
Origin of paralysis
paralyze
- to affect with paralysis.
- to bring to a condition of helpless stoppage, inactivity, or inability to act: The strike paralyzed communications.
Origin of paralyze
Synonyms for paralyze
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comRelated Words for paralyses
laziness, apathy, passivity, paralysis, inactivity, torpor, torpidity, lethargy, sloth, idleness, listlessness, stillness, stupor, lassitude, languor, indolence, immobilization, dullness, unresponsiveness, drowsinessExamples from the Web for paralyses
Historical Examples of paralyses
He was corroded by suspicion, and this paralyses able servants.
Critical Miscellanies (Vol. 1 of 3)John Morley
We can only get up provisions from day to day—which paralyses our operations.
Recollections and Letters of General Robert E. Lee(His Son) Captain Robert E. Lee
In this country the expected always happens, which paralyses the brain.
The Belovd VagabondWilliam J. Locke
There are paralyses that affect the sight; others that affect the mind.
Conscience, CompleteHector Malot
She shudders when she even thinks of him, and the sight of him is a horror that paralyses her.
Kophetua the ThirteenthJulian Corbett
paralysis
- pathol
- 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
- a disease characterized by such impairment or loss; palsy
- cessation or impairment of activityparalysis of industry by strikes
Word Origin for paralysis
Word Origin and History for paralyses
paralyze
1804, from French paralyser (16c.), from Old French paralisie "paralysis," from Latin paralysis (see paralysis). Figurative use from 1805. Related: Paralyzed; paralyzing.
paralysis
1520s, from Latin paralysis, from Greek paralysis "paralysis, palsy," literally "loosening," from paralyein "disable, enfeeble," from para- "beside" (see para- (1)) + lyein "loosen, untie" (see lose).
Figurative use from 1813. Earlier form was paralysie (late 14c., see palsy). Old English equivalent was lyft adl (see left (adj.)) or crypelnes "crippleness."
paralysis
(pə-răl′ĭ-sĭs)- Loss of power of voluntary movement in a muscle through injury or through disease of its nerve supply.
- Loss of sensation over a region of the body.
paralyze
(păr′ə-līz′)- To affect with paralysis; cause to be paralytic.
paralysis
- Loss or impairment of voluntary movement or sensation in a part of the body, usually as a result of neurologic injury or disease.
paralysis
The loss of voluntary movement in a body part. Paralysis results from damage to the nerves that supply the affected part of the body.