noun

palsy

PAWL-zee

noun

Paralysis of part of the body, often with uncontrollable shaking, weakness, or loss of feeling.

"Cerebral palsy affects muscle control and movement from an early age."

"His hands trembled from the palsy that had worsened with age."

verb

To paralyse or make unable to move or act normally.

"Fear seemed to palsy his ability to speak."

How to Use Palsy

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA medical condition involving paralysis or loss of muscle control, often with shaking — most familiar today in "cerebral palsy."

Common mistake

Not the same as a general tremor from cold or nerves; "palsy" specifically implies a condition affecting muscle control.

Easily confused with

paralysis →

Common pairings

cerebral palsy Bell's palsy

Word Forms

more palsy comparative, palsied past tense, palsies plural, palsies plural, palsies singular, most palsy superlative

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Fill the Gap

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Cerebral _____ affects muscle control and movement from an early age.

Etymology

From Old French paralisie, ultimately from Greek paralusis ("disabling on one side") — the same root as "paralysis," which "palsy" is a shortened doublet of.