/ pəˈræləsɪs; NAmE / noun ( pl. par·aly·ses / -siːz; NAmE /)
1.
[ U , C ] a loss of control of, and sometimes feeling in, part or most of the body, caused by disease or an injury to the nerves :
paralysis of both legs
2.
[ U ] a total inability to move, act, function, etc. :
The strike caused total paralysis in the city.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Old English , via Latin from Greek paralusis , from paraluesthai be disabled at the side, from para beside + luein loosen.