/peuh ral"euh sis/ , n. , pl. paralyses /-seez'/ .
1. Pathol.
a. a loss or impairment of voluntary movement in a body part, caused by injury or disease of the nerves, brain, or spinal cord.
b. a disease characterized by this, esp. palsy.
2. a state of helpless stoppage, inactivity, or inability to act: The strike caused a paralysis of all shipping.
[ bef. 1150; parálysis, equiv. to paraly-, var s. of paralýein to loosen (i.e., disable) on one side ( para- PARA- 1 + lýein to loosen) + -sis -SIS; r. ME paralisi ( e ) paralisin (acc.) ]