First Known Use: 1804
Dictionary
paralyze
verb par·a·lyze \ˈper-ə-ˌlīz, ˈpa-rə-\
: to make (a person or animal) unable to move or feel all or part of the body
: to make (someone or something) unable to function, act, or move
par·a·lyzedpar·a·lyz·ing
Full Definition of PARALYZE
transitive verb
1
: to affect with paralysis
2
: to make powerless or ineffective
3
: unnerve
5
— par·a·ly·za·tion \ˌper-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən, ˌpa-rə-\ noun
— par·a·lyz·er \ˈper-ə-ˌlī-zər, ˈpa-rə-\ noun
— par·a·lyz·ing·ly \-ˌlī-ziŋ-lē\ adverb
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Origin of PARALYZE
French paralyser, back-formation from paralysie paralysis, from Latin paralysis
Related to PARALYZE
- Synonyms
- cripple, disable, hamstring, immobilize, incapacitate, prostrate
- Antonyms
- nerve
PARALYZED Defined for Kids
paralyze
verb par·a·lyze \ˈper-ə-ˌlīz\
par·a·lyzedpar·a·lyz·ing
Definition of PARALYZE for Kids
1
: to cause to be unable to move all or part of the body <The snake's venom paralyzed the mouse.>
2
: to destroy or decrease something's energy or ability to act <The city was paralyzed by a heavy snowstorm.>
Medical Dictionary
paralyze
transitive verb par·a·lyze
par·a·lyzed or British par·a·lysedpar·a·lyz·ing or British par·a·lys·ing
Medical Definition of PARALYZE
: to affect with paralysis
—par·a·ly·za·tion or British par·a·ly·sa·tion \ˌpar-ə-lə-ˈzā-shən\ noun
Variants of PARALYZE
par·a·lyze or British par·a·lyse \ˈpar-ə-ˌlīz\
Learn More About PARALYZE
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