noun
paralysis
puh-RA-luh-suhs
noun
1
The loss of the ability to move part or all of the body.
"The accident left him with paralysis from the waist down."
2
A state of being unable to act, often from fear or indecision.
"Fear of failure led to total paralysis when it came to making a decision."
How to Use Paralysis
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe inability to move (medically), or being stuck and unable to act (figuratively, like "analysis paralysis").
Common pairings
sleep paralysis
analysis paralysis
partial paralysis
Word Forms
paralyses plural
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The accident left him with _____ from the waist down.
Etymology
From Greek paralysis, from paralyo ("to disable on one side") — a doublet of "palsy."