paresis

[puh-ree-sis, par-uh-sis]

noun

Pathology.

1. partial motor paralysis.

2. a late manifestation of syphilis, characterized by progressive dementia and paralysis.

paresis

/ pəˈrɛtɪk, ˈpærɪsɪs, pəˈriːsɪs /

noun

1. incomplete or slight paralysis of motor functions

2. short for general paresis See general paralysis of the insane

Other Word Forms

• paretic adjective
• paretically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of paresis¹

1685–95; < New Latin < Greek páresis paralysis, a letting go, equivalent to pare- (variant stem of pariénai to let go) + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of paresis¹

C17: via New Latin from Greek: a relaxation, from parienai to let go, from _para- ¹ + hienai to release