Definition of palsy

< palsied

palsy-walsy >

pal·sy    (pôlz) KEY 

NOUN:
pl. pal·sies

1. Complete or partial muscle paralysis, often accompanied by loss of sensation and uncontrollable body movements or tremors.
2. 1. A weakening or debilitating influence.
   2. An enfeebled condition or debilitated state thought to result from such an influence.
3. A fit of strong emotion marked by the inability to act: "Flaherty dithered in a little palsy of indignation" (Anthony Burgess).

TRANSITIVE VERB:
pal·sied, pal·sy·ing, pal·sies

1. 1. To paralyze.
   2. To deprive of strength.
2. To make helpless, as with fear.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English palsie, alteration of Old French paralisie, alteration of Latin paralysis ; see paralysis