paralyze

(parə līz′)

transitive verb paralyzed, paralyzing

  1. to cause paralysis in; make paralytic
  2. to bring into a condition of helpless inactivity; make ineffective or powerless

Origin: Fr paralyser, back-form. < paralysie < L paralysis

Related Forms:

See paralyze in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb par·a·lyzed, par·a·lyz·ing, par·a·lyz·es
  1. To affect with paralysis; cause to be paralytic.
  2. To make unable to move or act: paralyzed by fear.
  3. To impair the progress or functioning of; make inoperative or powerless: strict regulations that paralyze economic activity.

Origin:

Origin: French paralyser

Origin: , from paralysie, paralysis

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Latin paralysis; see paralysis

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Related Forms:

  • parˌa·ly·zaˈtion (-lĭ-zāˈshən) noun
  • parˈa·lyzˌer noun
  • parˈa·lyzˌing·ly adverb

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