paresis

American  

[puh-ree-sis, par-uh-sis] / pəˈri sɪs, ˈpær ə sɪs /

noun

Pathology.

1. partial motor paralysis.

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

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paresis British  

/ pəˈrɛtɪk, ˈpærɪsɪs, pəˈriːsɪs /

noun

1. incomplete or slight paralysis of motor functions

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

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Other Word Forms

• paretic noun
• paretically adverb

Etymology

Origin of paresis

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

Compare meaning

How does paresis compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• paresis vs. paralysis

Example Sentences

Doctors diagnosed her with paresis of the vocal folds, a muscular dysfunction.

From New York Times

In the 19th century general paresis was one of the most commonly diagnosed mental disorders.

From Scientific American

He did until he was afflicted with a paresis of the vocal cords in 2010 that left him unable to sing a note.

From The Guardian

The frequency of paresis may be realized when one learns that in some regions it is responsible for about one-fifth of all cases of insanity sent to hospitals for the insane.

From Project Gutenberg

Sometimes to one or more of these symptoms is added more or less general paresis or complete paralysis.

From Project Gutenberg