paralysis
[ puh-ral-uh-sis ]
/ pəˈræl ə sɪs /
noun, plural pa·ral·y·ses [puh-ral-uh-seez] /pəˈræl əˌsiz/.
Pathology.
- a loss or impairment of voluntary movement in a body part, caused by injury or disease of the nerves, brain, or spinal cord.
- 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.Words nearby paralysis
Example sentences from the Web for paralysis
British Dictionary definitions for paralysis
paralysis
/ (pəˈrælɪsɪs) /
noun plural -ses (-ˌsiːz)
pathol
- 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
- 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 paralysis
paralysis
[ pə-răl′ĭ-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.
Scientific definitions for paralysis
paralysis
[ pə-răl′ĭ-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 paralysis
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.