Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words
Definition of paralyze - 4 dictionary results

par⋅a⋅lyze

  [par-uh-lahyz]
Use paralyze in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -lyzed, -lyz⋅ing.
1. to affect with paralysis.
2. to bring to a condition of helpless stoppage, inactivity, or inability to act: The strike paralyzed communications.
Also, especially British, par⋅a⋅lyse.

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

Related forms:
par⋅a⋅ly⋅zant, adjective, noun
par⋅a⋅ly⋅za⋅tion, noun
par⋅a⋅lyz⋅er, noun
par⋅a⋅lyz⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
2. See shock 1 .
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To paralyze
par·a·lyze   (pār'ə-līz')   
tr.v.   par·a·lyzed, par·a·lyz·ing, par·a·lyz·es

  1. To affect with paralysis; cause to be paralytic.

  2. To make unable to move or act: paralyzed by fear.

  3. To impair the progress or functioning of; make inoperative or powerless: strict regulations that paralyze economic activity.


[French paralyser, from paralysie, paralysis, from Old French, from Latin paralysis; see paralysis.]
par'a·ly·za'tion (-lĭ-zā'shən) n., par'a·lyz'er n., par'a·lyz'ing·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: par·a·lyze
Variant: or British par·a·lyse /'par-&-"lIz/
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms:-lyzed or British -lysed; -lyz·ing or British -lys·ing
: to affect with paralysis —par·a·ly·za·tion or British par·a·ly·sa·tion /"par-&-l&-'zA-sh&n/ noun
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

paralyze par·a·lyze (pār'ə-līz')
v. par·a·lyzed, par·a·lyz·ing, par·a·lyz·es
To affect with paralysis; cause to be paralytic.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see paralyze on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way