palsy

pal·sy  (pôlz)

n. pl. pal·sies

1. Complete or partial muscle paralysis, often accompanied by loss of sensation and uncontrollable body movements or tremors.

2.

a. A weakening or debilitating influence.

b. An enfeebled condition or debilitated state thought to result from such an influence.

3. A fit of strong emotion marked by the inability to act: "Flaherty dithered in a little palsy of indignation" (Anthony Burgess).

tr.v. pal·sied, pal·sy·ing, pal·sies

1.

a. To paralyze.

b. To deprive of strength.

2. To make helpless, as with fear.

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[Middle English palsie, alteration of Old French paralisie, alteration of Latin paralysis; see paralysis.]

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palsy [pawl-zee]

Noun

Pathol paralysis of a specified type: cerebral palsy [Old French paralisie]

palsied adj

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	palsy - loss of the ability to move a body part paralysis akinesia, akinesis - motionlessness attributable to a temporary paralysis alalia - paralysis of the vocal cords resulting in an inability to speak cystoparalysis, cystoplegia - paralysis of the urinary bladder diplegia - paralysis of corresponding parts on both sides of the body Erb's palsy, Erb-Duchenne paralysis - paralysis of the arm resulting from injury to the brachial plexus (usually during childbirth) monoplegia - paralysis of a single limb ophthalmoplegia - paralysis of the motor nerves of the eye disfunction, dysfunction - (medicine) any disturbance in the functioning of an organ or body part or a disturbance in the functioning of a social group; "erectile dysfunction"; "sexual relationship dysfunction" paresis - a slight or partial paralysis paraplegia - paralysis of the lower half of the body (most often as a result of trauma) hemiplegia, unilateral paralysis - paralysis of one side of the body quadriplegia - paralysis of both arms and both legs
	2.	palsy - a condition marked by uncontrollable tremor symptom - (medicine) any sensation or change in bodily function that is experienced by a patient and is associated with a particular disease
Verb	1.	palsy - affect with palsy paralyse, paralyze - cause to be paralyzed and immobile; "The poison paralyzed him"; "Fear paralyzed her"