paraplegia

noun

para·​ple·​gia ˌper-ə-ˈplē-j(ē-)ə 

ˌpa-rə-

: partial or complete paralysis of the lower half of the body with involvement of both legs that is usually due to injury or disease of the spinal cord in the thoracic or lumbar region

paraplegic

ˌper-ə-ˈplē-jik 

ˌpa-rə-

adjective or noun

Examples of paraplegia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The plaintiff, Darwin Boggs, has paraplegia and uses a wheelchair when traveling in public, the suit said. —Rebecca Plevin, Los Angeles Times, 6 Dec. 2024

Those with quadriplegia or paraplegia who continue to drive have to install expensive or sophisticated hardware to control the foot pedals with their hands. —New Atlas, 13 July 2024

The neurosurgery team wanted to operate immediately to prevent paraplegia. —Tony Dajer, Discover Magazine, 13 June 2024

Not being very fast enough to run track or strong enough to play football is like having Cerebral Palsy or paraplegia. —Andrew Pulrang, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek paraplēgiē hemiplegia, from para- + -plēgia -plegia

First Known Use

circa 1657, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

paraplegia

noun

para·​ple·​gia ˌpar-ə-ˈplē-j(ē-)ə 

: partial or complete paralysis of the lower half of the body with involvement of both legs that is usually due to injury or disease of the spinal cord in the thoracic or lumbar region