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 • Nov. 21, 2019

After she was diagnosed with paresis, Ms. Dhegrae threw herself into research, spending up to 20 hours a day trawling through scientific journals and poring over her own medical history.

From New York Times • Nov. 21, 2019

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 • May 25, 2015

A lesion on the LMN would result in paralysis, or at least partial loss of voluntary muscle control, which is known as paresis.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The most important single factor in insanity, not dependent on constitution or heredity but on conduct, is that degeneration of the brain which brings on paresis or general paralysis of the insane.

From Religion And Health by Walsh, James J. (James Joseph)