paralysis
C1Formal, Medical, Technical
Definition
Meaning
A condition in which you are unable to move or feel all or part of your body.
A state of inability to act, function, or make decisions, often due to fear, shock, or system failure.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun. The plural is 'paralyses'. Often used metaphorically to describe inaction in organisations, economies, or decision-making processes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or definition differences. Both use the term identically in medical and metaphorical contexts.
Connotations
Identical connotations of helplessness and stasis in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American media in metaphorical contexts (e.g., 'analysis paralysis').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
paralysis of [noun]paralysis in [noun]paralysis caused by [noun]paralysis resulting from [noun]paralysis that [clause]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “analysis paralysis”
- “paralysis by analysis”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to a situation where an organisation or market cannot make decisions or progress.
Academic
Used in medical, neurological, and political science literature.
Everyday
Commonly used to describe a temporary inability to move from shock or fear.
Technical
A precise medical condition involving loss of nerve function.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The stroke paralysed his left side.
- The strike paralysed the city's transport.
American English
- The virus can paralyze the nervous system.
- Fear paralyzed the committee.
adverb
British English
- The news struck him paralytically silent.
American English
- She stared paralytically at the oncoming car.
adjective
British English
- She suffered a paralytic stroke.
- The negotiators were in a paralytic deadlock.
American English
- He was left paralytic from the waist down.
- The paralyzing snowstorm halted all flights.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- After the accident, he had paralysis in his legs.
- The loud noise caused a moment of paralysis.
- The political paralysis meant no new laws could be passed.
- Sleep paralysis can be a frightening experience.
- The economic sanctions induced a state of paralysis in the country's financial sector.
- Facial paralysis is often a symptom of Bell's palsy.
- The committee's indecision resulted in a complete paralysis of the legislative process, thwarting any potential reform.
- The neurotoxin induces a flaccid paralysis by blocking acetylcholine receptors.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'PARAllel' system that has come to a complete 'lysis' (breakdown) — it's paralysed.
Conceptual Metaphor
INACTION IS PARALYSIS / A NON-FUNCTIONING SYSTEM IS A PARALYSED BODY.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'паралич' (direct equivalent, fine). Be careful of false friend 'параллельный' (parallel).
- The metaphorical use is identical in Russian, so direct translation works.
- Remember it's a noun; the verb is 'to paralyse/paralyze'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'paralasis' or 'paralysys'.
- Using as a verb (the verb is 'paralyse/paralyze').
- Confusing with 'palsy' in non-medical contexts.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a common metaphorical use of 'paralysis'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, paralysis can be temporary (e.g., sleep paralysis, temporary paralysis from an injury) or permanent.
In modern usage, 'palsy' is a less common, somewhat archaic term for paralysis, often seen in specific medical conditions like 'cerebral palsy'.
Yes, metaphorically. For example, 'a paralysis of the computer network' or 'paralysis in the supply chain' is common.
The verb is 'to paralyse' (British spelling) or 'to paralyze' (American spelling).