paralysis
Use Paralysis in a sentence
ə noun, plural pa·ral·y·ses [-seez] .
[-seez] . 1.
Pathology.
a.
a loss or impairment of voluntary movement in a body part, caused by injury or disease of the nerves, brain, or spinal cord.
b.
a disease characterized by this, especially palsy.
2.
a state of helpless stoppage, inactivity, or inability to act: The strike caused a paralysis of all shipping.
Origin:
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. palsy
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. palsy
Related forms
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.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Collins
World English Dictionary
paralysis (pəˈrælɪsɪs) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n , pl -ses | |
| 1. | pathol |
| a. 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 | |
| b. a disease characterized by such impairment or loss; palsy | |
| 2. | cessation or impairment of activity: paralysis of industry by strikes |
| [C16: via Latin from Greek paralusis; see | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
paralysis
1520s, from Gk. paralysis, lit. "loosening," from paralyein "disable, enfeeble," from para- "beside" + lyein "loosen, untie," cognate with L. luere "to loose, release, atone for, expiate," O.E. for-leosan "to lose, destroy," losian "to perish, be lost" (see lose). Earlier
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
paralysis pa·ral·y·sis (pə-rāl'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.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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American Heritage
Science Dictionary
| paralysis (pə-rāl'ĭ-sĭs) Pronunciation Key
Loss or impairment of voluntary movement or sensation in a part of the body, usually as a result of neurologic injury or disease. |
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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American Heritage
Cultural Dictionary
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.
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Example sentences
But four months after they first seized up, the credit markets remain in a state of paralysis.
The notion that too much choice leads to paralysis might well be true here and there.
There may be signs of decreased breathing caused by paralysis of the breathing muscles.
For mediators committed to reviving the wobbly peace process, this paralysis is a rare piece of good news.
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