[pa.ral.y.sis] n, pl -y.ses [L, fr. Gk, fr. paralyein to loosen, disable, fr. para- + lyein to loosen--more at lose] (1525) 1: complete or partial loss of function esp. when involving the motion or sensation in a part of the body
2: loss of the ability to move
3: a state of powerlessness or incapacity to act