I. ˈpȯlzē, -zi noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English palsie, parlesie, from Middle French paralisie, from Latin paralysis — more at paralysis
1.
a. : paralysis — used chiefly in combination
shaking palsy
oculomotor palsy
— compare bell's palsy , cerebral palsy
b. : a condition that is characterized by uncontrollable tremor or quivering of the body or one or more of its parts
the old man shook with the palsy so he could hardly hold his pipe
— not used technically
2.
a. : an enfeebling influence : something that causes weakness or uncertainty or impairs activity or effectiveness
a creeping palsy has of late overtaken the liberal mind — Saturday Review
the palsy of doubt and distraction hangs … upon my energies — Thomas De Quincey
b. : a weak, enfeebled, or uncertain condition often marked by lack of decisive or effective action
enough to throw the entire diplomatic West into a palsy — Reporter
3. : vibration
his whole body shook with the palsy of the motor — Kay Boyle
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
transitive verb
: to affect with or as if with palsy : deprive of action or energy : paralyze
intransitive verb
: to become palsied : shake as if with the palsy