tr.v. par·a·lyzed, par·a·lyz·ing, par·a·lyz·es 1. To affect with paralysis; cause to be paralytic. 2. To make unable to move or act: paralyzed by fear. 3. To impair the progress or functioning of; make inoperative or powerless: strict regulations that paralyze economic activity. [French paralyser, from paralysie, paralysis, from Old French, from Latin paralysis; see PARALYSIS.] par′a·ly·zation (-lĭ-zāshən) n. para·lyz′er n. para·lyz′ing·ly adv. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.