Paralysis Meaning
/pəˈɹæləsəs/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe complete loss of voluntary control of part of a person's body, such as one or more limbs.
nounA state of being unable to act.
Sentence Examples
There have been several cases of infantile paralysis.
His paralysis is progressing, and soon he won't be able to get out of bed.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The terrible car accident caused a complete ____ of his lower body.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The accident caused temporary ____ in his legs, but he regained full movement after months of therapy.
Word Origin & History
Borrowed from Latin paralysis, from Ancient Greek παράλυσις (parálusis, “palsy”), from παραλύω (paralúō, “to disable on one side”). By surface analysis, para- + -lysis. Doublet of palsy.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Until then, the Sunak administration remains a study in ineffectuality on multiple fronts, leading Goldsmith to cite, not unreasonably, “a kind of paralysis”."
— 2023 June 30, Marina Hyde, “The tide is coming in fast on Rishi Sunak – and it’s full of sewage”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 05 Aug 2023:
"Will this decision-making paralysis continue until Great British Railways has been established and settled into a new rhythm? If so, passengers on the West of England line are in for a rough ride, as the reliability of these tired old British Rail trains inevitably declines, and maintenance costs rise."
— 2026 February 18, Paul Clifton, “West of England Line problems laid bare”, in RAIL, page 7:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The terrible car accident caused a complete ____ of his lower body.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The accident caused temporary ____ in his legs, but he regained full movement after months of therapy.