[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

paralysis \paral"ysis\, n. l., fr. gr. para`lysis, fr.
   paraly`ein to loosen, dissolve, or disable at the side; para`
   beside + ly`ein to loosen. see para-, and loose, and cf.
   palsy. med.
   abolition of function, whether complete or partial; esp., the
   loss of the power of voluntary motion, with or without that
   of sensation, in any part of the body; palsy. see
   hemiplegia, and paraplegia. also used figuratively; as,
   paralysis of the will. "utter paralysis of memory." --g.
   eliot.
   1913 webster

         mischievous practices arising out of the paralysis of
         the powers of ownership.                 --duke of
                                                  argyll 1887.
   1913 webster
see also:
para- loose palsy hemiplegia paraplegia 

[2] : WordNet (r) 2.0

paralysis
     n : loss of the ability to move a body part syn: palsy
     also: paralyses pl
see also:
palsy paralyses 

[3] : Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

129 moby thesaurus words for "paralysis":
   a wise passiveness, abscess, ague, anemia, ankylosis, anoxia,
   apnea, apoplexy, asphyxiation, asthma, ataxia, atrophy, backache,
   bleeding, blennorhea, cachexia, cachexy, catalepsy, cataplexy,
   chill, chills, colic, constipation, contemplation,
   contemplative life, convulsion, coughing, cyanosis, diarrhea,
   diplegia, dizziness, do-nothing policy, do-nothingism,
   do-nothingness, dormancy, dropsy, dysentery, dyspepsia, dyspnea,
   edema, emaciation, fainting, fatigue, fever, fibrillation, flux,
   growth, hemiplegia, hemorrhage, high blood pressure, hydrops,
   hypertension, hypotension, icterus, idleness, immobility, inaction,
   inactivity, indigestion, indolence, inertia, inertness,
   infantile paralysis, inflammation, insomnia, itching, jaundice,
   labored breathing, laissez-aller, laissez-faire, laissez-faireism,
   low blood pressure, lumbago, marasmus, meditation, nasal discharge,
   nausea, necrosis, neutralism, neutrality, neutralness,
   noninvolvement, nonparticipation, nonresistance, nonviolence,
   nonviolent resistance, pacifism, pain, palsy, paraplegia, paresis,
   passive resistance, passive self-annihilation, passiveness,
   passivism, passivity, policy, polio, poliomyelitis,
   procrastination, pruritus, quiescence, quietism, rash, rheum,
   sclerosis, seizure, sensory paralysis, shock, skin eruption,
   sneezing, sore, spasm, stagnancy, stagnation, standpattism, stasis,
   stroke, tabes, tachycardia, tumor, upset stomach, vegetation,
   vertigo, vita contemplativa, vomiting, waiting game, wasting,
   watching and waiting

Paralysis >> P Words
Paralysis, definition of term: Paralysis
paralysis_pag1.html