paralysis

[puh-ral-uh-sis] /pəˈræl ə sɪs/
noun, plural paralyses
[puh-ral-uh-seez] /pəˈræl əˌsiz/ (Show IPA)
1.
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.
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
Related forms
nonparalysis, noun, plural nonparalyses.
semiparalysis, noun, plural semiparalyses.
Examples from the web for paralysis
  • Hypokalemic periodic paralysis is an inherited disorder that causes occasional episodes of muscle weakness.
  • The notion that too much choice leads to paralysis might well be true here and there.
  • Small amounts taken over a long stretch produce weakness, confusion, paralysis.
  • It's the stuff of science fiction: paralysis at the flip of a switch.
  • Treatments for paralysis and other ailments in foreign countries are tempting for those facing a lifetime of dependence on others.
  • And for those outside of power, trying to figure out the message intended by any action leads to paralysis.
  • Since then, however, it has collapsed into virtual paralysis.
  • paralysis and loss of sensation of part of the body are common.
  • It also gets me beyond the paralysis of a blank page.
  • But four months after they first seized up, the credit markets remain in a state of paralysis.
British Dictionary definitions for paralysis

paralysis

/pəˈrælɪsɪs/
noun (pl) -ses (-ˌsiːz)
1.
(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
2.
cessation or impairment of activity: paralysis of industry by strikes
Word Origin
C16: via Latin from Greek paralusis; see para-1, -lysis
Word Origin and History for paralysis
n.

1520s, from Latin paralysis, from Greek paralysis "paralysis, palsy," literally "loosening," from paralyein "disable, enfeeble," from para- "beside" (see para- (1)) + lyein "loosen, untie" (see lose).

Figurative use from 1813. Earlier form was paralysie (late 14c., see palsy). Old English equivalent was lyft adl (see left (adj.)) or crypelnes "crippleness."

paralysis in Medicine

paralysis pa·ral·y·sis (pə-rāl'ĭ-sĭs)
n. pl. pa·ral·y·ses (-sēz')

  1. Loss of power of voluntary movement in a muscle through injury or through disease of its nerve supply.

  2. Loss of sensation over a region of the body.

paralysis in Science
paralysis
  (pə-rāl'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.
paralysis in Culture
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.