paraplegic

American  

[par-uh-plee-jik, -plej-ik] / ˌpær əˈpli dʒɪk, -ˈplɛdʒ ɪk /

adjective

1. having paraplegia; paralyzed in the lower half of the body or in both lower limbs as a result of spinal disease or injury.

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noun

1. a person who is paralyzed in this way.

Etymology

Origin of paraplegic

First recorded in 1820–30; from New Latin paraplēgicus, from Ionic Greek paraplēgikós; paraplegia ( def. )

Example Sentences

The Me Before You series follows the life of Louisa Clark, a working-class girl who ends up as a carer for paraplegic Will Traynor, a wealthy man who is paralysed after a motorcycle accident.

From BBC • Dec. 28, 2025

He had nine paraplegic employees on his payroll, according to documents he submitted to Anthem Blue Cross.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 6, 2024

When I met her she was a paraplegic; eventually she became a quadriplegic.

From New York Times • Jun. 19, 2024

And even more recently, NBC's big box store sitcom "Superstore," which wrapped in 2021, saw able-bodied actor Colton Dunn starring as paraplegic employee Garrett.

From Salon • Oct. 2, 2023

He sat upright in his chair, not looking at Mrs. Olinski or the blackboard but staring into the middle distance, as if looking at the word paraplegic or the paraplegic herself was too painful.

From "The View From Saturday" by E.L. Konigsburg

Related Words

• paralyzed