paralysis

[puh-ral-uh-sis]

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.

paralysis

/ 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

paralysis

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

paralysis

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.

Other Word Forms

• nonparalysis noun
• semiparalysis noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of paralysis¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of paralysis¹

C16: via Latin from Greek paralusis; see _para- ¹ , _-lysis

Example Sentences

Exposure to this element can lead to serious heart and nervous system issues, including arrhythmias and paralysis.

Read more on Science Daily

The fact that seasonal job postings have held steady from last year is reflective of the labour market's paralysis, she said.

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Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has denied leaks ahead of the Budget have damaged the economy, following criticism the speculation has "caused paralysis among businesses and consumers".

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Our analysis suggests that the paralysis in the business community related to tariff and migration policy may be passing.

Read more on Barron's

She is in a very bad way, this paralysis is killing her.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• apathy 
• laziness 
• passivity 
• sluggishness www.thesaurus.com