paralyze
verb
- cause to be unable to move
- to make powerless
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈpæɹəlaɪz/ / /ˈpæɹəˌlaɪz/ / /ˈpɛɹəˌlaɪz/
verb
Etymology: Partly a borrowing from French. Probably partly either (i) formed within English, by derivation. Or partly (ii) a borrowing from French, combined with an English element. Etymons: Middle English paralysie, -ize suffix; French paralyser.
- To afflict with paralysis.
- To render unable to move; to immobilize.
“So I stood alone in horror / Paralyzed with fear and dread / When a voice dead and inhuman / Whispered to me "go, you fool, Warren's dead!"”
- To render unable to function properly.
“The transport strike paralyzed the city.”