paralytic

1 of 2

adjective

par·​a·​lyt·​ic ˌper-ə-ˈli-tik 

ˌpa-rə-

1

: affected with, characterized by, or causing paralysis

2

: of, relating to, or resembling paralysis

paralytically

ˌper-ə-ˈli-ti-k(ə-)lē 

ˌpa-rə-

adverb

paralytic

2 of 2

noun

: one affected with paralysis

Synonyms

Adjective

• paralyzed

Examples of paralytic in a Sentence

Adjective

a group of paralytic drunks

at first, he would not accept that he was now paralytic and needed help

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

What is paralytic shellfish poisoning?Paralytic shellfish poisoning, or PSP, is caused by saxitoxin, a naturally occurring toxin that’s produced by algae. —Claire Rush, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2024

At the beginning of Don't Move, Iris is injected with a paralytic agent that takes full effect after 20 minutes and leaves her unable to move or speak for an hour. —Samantha Stutsman, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024

Noun

So injecting a paralytic like Botox around those nerves can block the signals from reaching your brain in the first place—which should in theory prevent migraine pain, Dr. Natbony explains. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 22 Nov. 2024

Like normal Botox, baby Botox involves injections of a muscle paralytic. —Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 25 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English paralytyk, from Anglo-French paralitik, from Latin paralyticus, from Greek paralytikos, from paralyein

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

paralytic

1 of 2 adjective

par·​a·​lyt·​ic ˌpar-ə-ˈlit-ik 

1

: affected with, marked by, or causing paralysis

2

: of, relating to, or resembling paralysis

paralytic

2 of 2 noun

: one affected with paralysis

Medical Definition

paralytic

1 of 2 adjective

par·​a·​lyt·​ic ˌpar-ə-ˈlit-ik 

1

: affected with or characterized by paralysis

2

: of, relating to, causing, or resembling paralysis

paralytic

2 of 2 noun

: one affected with paralysis