paralysis

[ puh-ral-uh-sis ]
/ pəˈræl ə sɪs /

noun, plural pa·ral·y·ses [puh-ral-uh-seez] /pəˈræl əˌsiz/.

Pathology.
  1. a loss or impairment of voluntary movement in a body part, caused by injury or disease of the nerves, brain, or spinal cord.
  2. a disease characterized by this, especially palsy.
a state of helpless stoppage, inactivity, or inability to act: The strike caused a paralysis of all shipping.

Origin of paralysis

before 1150; < Latin < Greek parálysis, equivalent to paraly-, var stem of paralȳ́ein to loosen (i.e., disable) on one side ( para- para-1 + lȳ́ein to loosen) + -sis -sis; replacing Middle English paralisi(e) < Old French < Latin, as above; replacing late Old English paralisin (accusative) < Latin, as above; cf. palsy1

OTHER WORDS FROM paralysis

non·pa·ral·y·sis, noun, plural non·pa·ral·y·ses. sem·i·pa·ral·y·sis, noun, plural sem·i·pa·ral·y·ses.

Definition for paralyses (2 of 2)

paralyze
[ par-uh-lahyz ]
/ ˈpær əˌlaɪz /

verb (used with object), par·a·lyzed, par·a·lyz·ing.

to affect with paralysis.
to bring to a condition of helpless stoppage, inactivity, or inability to act: The strike paralyzed communications.
Also especially British, par·a·lyse.

Origin of paralyze

1795–1805; back formation from paralysis, modeled on analyze

SYNONYMS FOR paralyze

2 See shock1.

OTHER WORDS FROM paralyze

Example sentences from the Web for paralyses

British Dictionary definitions for paralyses

paralysis
/ (pəˈrælɪsɪs) /

noun plural -ses (-ˌsiːz)

pathol
  1. impairment or loss of voluntary muscle function or of sensation (sensory paralysis) in a part or area of the body, usually caused by a lesion or disorder of the muscles or the nerves supplying them
  2. a disease characterized by such impairment or loss; palsy
cessation or impairment of activity paralysis of industry by strikes

Word Origin for paralysis

C16: via Latin from Greek paralusis; see para- 1, -lysis

Medical definitions for paralyses (1 of 2)

paralysis
[ pə-rălĭ-sĭs ]

n. pl. pa•ral•y•ses (-sēz′)

Loss of power of voluntary movement in a muscle through injury or through disease of its nerve supply.
Loss of sensation over a region of the body.

Medical definitions for paralyses (2 of 2)

paralyze
[ părə-līz′ ]

v.

To affect with paralysis; cause to be paralytic.

Scientific definitions for paralyses

paralysis
[ pə-rălĭ-sĭs ]

Loss or impairment of voluntary movement or sensation in a part of the body, usually as a result of neurologic injury or disease.

Cultural definitions for paralyses

paralysis
[ (puh-ral-uh-sis) ]

The loss of voluntary movement in a body part. Paralysis results from damage to the nerves that supply the affected part of the body.