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paralyze

[par-uh-lahyz]
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verb (used with object), par·a·lyzed, par·a·lyz·ing.
  1. to affect with paralysis.
  2. to bring to a condition of helpless stoppage, inactivity, or inability to act: The strike paralyzed communications.
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Also especially British, par·a·lyse.

Origin of paralyze

1795–1805; back formation from paralysis, modeled on analyze
Related formspar·a·ly·zant, adjective, nounpar·a·ly·za·tion, nounpar·a·lyz·er, nounpar·a·lyz·ing·ly, adverbsem·i·par·a·lyzed, adjectiveun·par·a·lyzed, adjective

Synonyms

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2. See shock1.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Word Origin and History for paralyzation

paralyze

v.

1804, from French paralyser (16c.), from Old French paralisie "paralysis," from Latin paralysis (see paralysis). Figurative use from 1805. Related: Paralyzed; paralyzing.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
paralyzation in Medicine

paralyze

(păr′ə-līz′)
v.
  1. To affect with paralysis; cause to be paralytic.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.