adjective / noun

paralytic

par-uh-LIT-ik/ˌpærəˈlɪtɪk/

Affected by or causing paralysis.

Paralytic polio can leave muscles too weak to move.

A wheelchair user manually lifts and positions an unresponsive leg while a clinician supports her foot: active hands and upper body contrast with passive lower limbs, illustrating the 'affected by loss of bodily movement' branch of paralytic.

Etymology

paraGreekbeside

+lytGreekloosen, untie

+icGreekpertaining to

The underlying Greek verb meant “disable, enfeeble,” and its noun, paralysis, literally meant “loosening.” The adjective applies that loss of bodily function to an affected person or body part.

In context

Storytime Haven402:57

In the night a paralytic stroke had seized her. The doctors said she might in time recover a little, but she would never be her old active self again.

✨ The Man by Bram Stoker | A Tale of Love, Courage & Destiny 📖

More examples

The toxin has a paralytic effect on the muscles.
She receives physical therapy for a paralytic condition.
The old medical report describes the patient as a paralytic.

Forms

paralytic · paralytics

paralysis noun — Loss of the ability to move muscles.

paralyze verb — To cause loss of muscle movement.

Similar words

paralyzed: Describes loss of movement, not something that causes it.
immobilized: Means unable to move, including from restraint rather than paralysis.