Paralyze
['pærə,laɪz]
Definition
(verb.) cause to be paralyzed and immobile; 'The poison paralyzed him'; 'Fear paralyzed her'.
(verb.) make powerless and unable to function; 'The bureaucracy paralyzes the entire operation'.
Inputed by Harlow--From WordNet
Definition
(v. t.) To affect or strike with paralysis or palsy.
(v. t.) Fig.: To unnerve; to destroy or impair the energy of; to render ineffective; as, the occurrence paralyzed the community; despondency paralyzed his efforts.
Inputed by Harvey
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. a. Palsy, benumb, deaden.
Edited by Katy
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Deaden, benumb, prostrate, enervate, debilitate, enfeeble
ANT:Give_life, strengthen, nerve, lift_up, restore
Inputed by Byron
Examples
- You envenom and you paralyze. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- It does not paralyze the self-activity of youth by the record of an infallible past. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- Miss Ophelia stood silent, perfectly paralyzed with amazement. Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- Poland was not simply a crowned aristocratic republic like the British, it was a paralyzed crowned aristocratic republic. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- H e himself wished to be enrolled in the National Guard, a nd had to be told that a half-paralyzed man co uld not render military service. Walter Libby. An Introduction to the History of Science.
- There is only this difference: most of the manufacturers seem paralyzed when they are attacked. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- When this sparring partner came to face Corbett in the imitation ring he was so paralyzed with terror he could hardly move. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- He may have been asleep, or he may have been so paralyzed with terror as to have been unable to cry out. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
- The extent to which all manufacture and transport, all industry there, was paralyzed during the strike, shows the complete dependence of modern life upon fuel. Various. The Wonder Book of Knowledge.
- I can talk to two or three persons; but when there are more they radiate some unknown form of influence which paralyzes my vocal cords. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- The inability thus to solace her outraged feelings gave her a paralyzing sense of insignificance. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- To a poor bookworm and invalid like myself such a blow is paralyzing. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
Checked by Gardner