shaking palsy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare / ObsoleteHistorical / Technical (medical)
Quick answer
What does “shaking palsy” mean?
An archaic, descriptive term for a chronic neurological disorder characterized by a constant, involuntary tremor of the limbs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An archaic, descriptive term for a chronic neurological disorder characterized by a constant, involuntary tremor of the limbs.
A historical and now obsolete clinical name for Parkinson's disease, specifically referencing its most visible symptom of tremor.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No modern difference; the term is equally obsolete in both varieties. Historical usage was identical.
Connotations
Connotes an older, less scientifically precise era of medicine. May be used for historical or literary effect.
Frequency
Virtually never used in contemporary speech or writing outside historical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “shaking palsy” in a Sentence
Patient + suffer from + shaking palsyshaking palsy + affect + PatientThe term 'shaking palsy' + refer to + Parkinson's diseaseVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shaking palsy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The patient was described as shaking palsied in the 19th-century notes.
American English
- The physician noted the patient was shaking palsied.
adjective
British English
- His shaking-palsy symptoms were documented in detail.
- The shaking-palsy patient sought treatment.
American English
- His shaking-palsy tremors were severe.
- A shaking-palsy diagnosis was common in that era.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used only in historical or medical history papers discussing the evolution of terminology.
Everyday
Not used; would be considered archaic and confusing.
Technical
Obsolete technical term; modern professionals use 'Parkinson's disease'.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shaking palsy”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shaking palsy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shaking palsy”
- Using it as a current medical term.
- Confusing it with other types of palsy or tremor conditions.
- Misspelling as 'shaking palzy'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is the original descriptive name given by James Parkinson in 1817. 'Parkinson's disease' is the modern, standard term.
No. Using it would be considered archaic and potentially confusing. Always use the term 'Parkinson's disease' in modern clinical and everyday contexts.
Medical terminology often shifts from descriptive names to eponyms (naming after the discoverer) as understanding of a disease evolves. Also, not all Parkinson's patients present with prominent tremor ('shaking'), making the old name less accurate for all cases.
You might find it in historical medical texts, biographies of 19th-century figures, or in literature set in that period. It is not used in current medical education or practice.
An archaic, descriptive term for a chronic neurological disorder characterized by a constant, involuntary tremor of the limbs.
Shaking palsy is usually historical / technical (medical) in register.
Shaking palsy: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃeɪ.kɪŋ ˈpɔːl.zi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃeɪ.kɪŋ ˈpɑːl.zi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly; historically used literally.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Shaking' describes the visible tremor, 'palsy' is an old word for paralysis or loss of motor control. Together, they name the condition.
Conceptual Metaphor
DISEASE IS AN ENTITY WITH A DESCRIPTIVE NAME (rather than an eponym).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'shaking palsy' be an appropriate term to use today?