PARALYZE

paralyze, paralyse

(verb) cause to be paralyzed and immobile; “The poison paralyzed him”; “Fear paralyzed her”

paralyze, paralyse

(verb) make powerless and unable to function; “The bureaucracy paralyzes the entire operation”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

paralyze (third-person singular simple present paralyzes, present participle paralyzing, simple past and past participle paralyzed)

(transitive) To afflict with paralysis.

(transitive) To render unable to move; to immobilize.

(transitive) To render unable to function properly.

Source: Wiktionary

Par"a*lyze, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Paralyzed; p. pr. & vb. n. Paralyzing.] Etym: [F. paralyser. See Paralysis.]

1. To affect or strike with paralysis or palsy.

2. Fig.: To unnerve; to destroy or impair the energy of; to render ineffective; as, the occurrence paralyzed the community; despondency paralyzed his efforts.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition