- paralysis
- 1520s, from Gk. paralysis, lit. "loosening," from paralyein "disable, enfeeble," from para- "beside" + lyein "loosen, untie," cognate with L. luere "to loose, release, atone for, expiate," O.E. for-leosan "to lose, destroy," losian "to perish, be lost" (see lose). Earlier form was paralysie (late 14c., see palsy). O.E. equivalent was lyft adl (see left (adj.)). Paralyze is 1804, from Fr. paralyser (16c.), from O.Fr. paralisie "paralysis," from L. paralysis, from Gk. Paralytic (adj.) is first attested c.1300; the noun is from late 14c.