paraplegia

[ par-uh-plee-jee-uh, -juh ]

See synonyms for: paraplegic on Thesaurus.com

nounPathology.

paralysis of both lower limbs due to spinal disease or injury.: Compare quadriplegia.

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tetraplegia vs. paraplegia paraplegia vs. hemiplegia

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Origin of paraplegia

First recorded in 1580–90; from New Latin, from Ionic Greek (Hippocrates) paraplēgíē; “hemiplegia”; see para-¹, -plegia

Other words from paraplegia

par·a·ple·gic [par-uh-plee-jik, -plej-ik], /ˌpær əˈpli dʒɪk, -ˈplɛdʒ ɪk/, adjective, noun

Words Nearby paraplegia

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use paraplegia in a sentence

In 2011, researchers at the University of Louisville in Kentucky restored the ability to stand to a 23-year-old man with paraplegia.
Spinal stimulation gives some people with paralysis more freedom | Laura Sanders | August 3, 2022 | Science News
For people with paraplegia, who have use of their arms and upper body, sexual function was the highest priority.
Spinal stimulation gives some people with paralysis more freedom | Laura Sanders | August 3, 2022 | Science News
The future of paraplegia has a new outlook, thanks to an incredible bionic suit helping stand, walk, and even climb stairs.
The Bionic Exoskeleton Helping Paraplegics Walk | Dr. Anand Veeravagu, MD | June 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
On the 9th of August he had an attack of paraplegia, and although he partially recovered from it, it made a marked change in him.
George Eliot's Life, Vol. III (of 3) | George Eliot
They may occur in the legs with the production of complete paraplegia.
Psychotherapy | James J. Walsh

Affections of the Spinal Cord are extremely rare, but paraplegia from myelitis has been observed.
Manual of Surgery | Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles
In the vertebræ, it is attended with a painful form of paraplegia, which may involve the lower or all four extremities.
Manual of Surgery | Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles
In the vertebral column, hydatids give rise to angular deformity and paraplegia.
Manual of Surgery | Alexis Thomson and Alexander Miles

British Dictionary definitions for paraplegia

paraplegia

/ (ˌpærəˈpliːdʒə) /

noun

pathol paralysis of the lower half of the body, usually as the result of disease or injury of the spine: Compare hemiplegia, quadriplegia

Origin of paraplegia

C17: via New Latin from Greek: a blow on one side, from para- 1 + plēssein to strike

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for paraplegia

paraplegia

[ păr′ə-plē′jē-ə ]

Paralysis of the lower part of the body, caused by injury to the spinal cord.

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