PARALYSIS

paralysis, palsy

(noun) loss of the ability to move a body part

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

paralysis (countable and uncountable, plural paralyses)

(pathology) The complete loss of voluntary control of part of a person's body, such as one or more limbs.

A state of being unable to act.

Source: Wiktionary

Pa*ral"y*sis, n. Etym: [L., fr. Gr. Para-, and Loose, and cf. Palsy.] (Med.)

Definition: Abolition of function, whether complete or partial; esp., the loss of the power of voluntary motion, with or without that of sensation, in any part of the body; palsy. See Hemiplegia, and Paraplegia. Also used figuratively. "Utter paralysis of memory." G. Eliot. Mischievous practices arising out of the paralysis of the powers of ownership. Duke of Argyll (1887).

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition