paralytic

[par-uh-lit-ik]

noun

1. a person affected with paralysis.

adjective

1. affected with or subject to paralysis.

2. pertaining to or of the nature of paralysis.

paralytic

/ ˌpærəˈlɪtɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or of the nature of paralysis

2. afflicted with or subject to paralysis

3. informal,  very drunk

noun

1. a person afflicted with paralysis

Other Word Forms

• paralytically adverb
• nonparalytic adjective
• postparalytic adjective
• semiparalytic noun
• subparalytic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of paralytic¹

1300–50; Middle English paralitik < Latin paralyticus < Greek paralytikós, equivalent to paraly- ( paralysis ) + -tikos -tic

Example Sentences

Early symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning include tingling of the lips and tongue that could start anywhere from a few minutes to hours after eating toxic shellfish.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Every paralytic polio case means there are hundreds of children who are silently affected by poliovirus and are potentially carrying and spreading it throughout their communities,” she added.

Read more on BBC

No associated paralytic cases have been recorded so far.

Read more on BBC

There is no antidote to paralytic shellfish poisoning, but treatment involves supportive care and, if necessary, respiratory support.

Read more on Seattle Times

"We find paralytic shellfish toxins in our shellfish pretty much year-round at this point."

Read more on Science Daily

Related Words

• paralyzed www.thesaurus.com