Paralysis vs. Palsy — What's the Difference?

Paralysis (also known as plegia) is a loss of motor function in one or more muscles. Paralysis can be accompanied by a loss of feeling (sensory loss) in the affected area if there is sensory damage as well as motor.

Palsy is a medical term which refers to various types of paralysis, often accompanied by weakness and the loss of feeling and uncontrolled body movements such as shaking. The word originates from the Anglo-Norman paralisie, parleisie et al., from the accusative form of Latin paralysis, from Ancient Greek παράλυσις (parálusis), from παραλύειν (paralúein, “to disable on one side”), from παρά (pará, “beside”) + λύειν (lúein, “loosen”).

Loss or impairment of the ability to move a body part, usually as a result of damage to its nerve supply.

Complete or partial muscle paralysis, often accompanied by loss of sensation and uncontrollable body movements or tremors.

Loss of sensation over a region of the body.

A weakening or debilitating influence.

Inability to move or function; total stoppage or severe impairment of activity

An enfeebled condition or debilitated state thought to result from such an influence.

(pathology) The complete loss of voluntary control of part of a person's body, such as one or more limbs.

A fit of strong emotion marked by the inability to act

A state of being unable to act.

To paralyze.

Abolition of function, whether complete or partial; esp., the loss of the power of voluntary motion, with or without that of sensation, in any part of the body; palsy. See Hemiplegia, and Paraplegia. Also used figuratively; as, paralysis of the will.

To deprive of strength.

Loss of the ability to move a body part

To make helpless, as with fear.

(pathology) Complete or partial muscle paralysis of a body part, often accompanied by a loss of feeling and uncontrolled body movements such as shaking.

To paralyse, either completely or partially.

(colloquial) Chummy, friendly.

Paralysis, complete or partial. See Paralysis.

To affect with palsy, or as with palsy; to deprive of action or energy; to paralyze.

Loss of the ability to move a body part

A condition marked by uncontrollable tremor

Affect with palsy