palsy
1 synonym for palsy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Paralysis of part of the body, often with uncontrollable shaking, weakness, or loss of feeling.
How to use palsy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
cerebral palsy
Bell's palsy
Etymology
From Old French paralisie, ultimately from Greek paralusis ("disabling on one side") — the same root as "paralysis," which "palsy" is a shortened doublet of.
Full origin of palsy →Frequently asked questions
What does “palsy” mean?
The word “palsy” means paralysis of part of the body, often with uncontrollable shaking, weakness, or loss of feeling. In plain terms, a medical condition involving paralysis or loss of muscle control, often with shaking — most familiar today in "cerebral palsy.".
How do you pronounce “palsy”?
“Palsy” is pronounced PAWL-zee (/ˈpɔːlzi/ in IPA).
How do you use “palsy” in a sentence?
Here is “palsy” used in a sentence: “Cerebral palsy affects muscle control and movement from an early age.”
What part of speech is “palsy”?
Depending on how it is used, “palsy” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “palsy” come from?
The word “palsy” comes from Old French. From Old French paralisie, ultimately from Greek paralusis ("disabling on one side") — the same root as "paralysis," which "palsy" is a shortened doublet of.
Is “palsy” a common word?
“Palsy” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “palsy” have?
“Palsy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: paralysis of part of the body, often with uncontrollable shaking, weakness, or loss of feeling.
