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

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

A statement posted on the group’s Web site says Mr. Garfunkel is recovering from vocal paresis.

From New York Times • Jun. 17, 2010

Some of the Effects.—It is now known that paresis, also termed general paralysis or softening of the brain, is probably invariably due to syphilis.

From Being Well-Born An Introduction to Eugenics by Guyer, Michael F.