paralyze
UK /ˈpæɹəlaɪz/ · US /ˈpæɹəˌlaɪz/ verb
Forms paralyzes paralyzing paralyzed paralyse
- verb (transitive) To afflict with paralysis.
- verb (transitive) To render unable to move; to immobilize.
- verb (transitive) To render unable to function properly. “The transport strike paralyzed the city.”
Synonyms
Etymology
Partly a borrowing from French. Probably partly either (i) formed within English, by derivation. Or partly (ii) a borrowing from French, combined with an English element. Etymons: Middle English paralysie, -ize suffix; French paralyser.
Webster’s 1913
- verb To affect or strike with paralysis or palsy.
- verb Fig.: To unnerve; to destroy or impair the energy of; to render ineffective; as, the occurrence paralyzed the community; despondency paralyzed his efforts.
Etymology [F. paralyser. See Paralysis.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “paralyze”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details