paralysis

n. loss of function of voluntary muscles. A common cause is a lesion of the nervous or muscular system due to injury, disease, or congenital factors. The lesion may involve the central nervous system, as in a stroke or spinal cord injury, or the peripheral nervous system, as in Guillain–Barré syndrome. See also flaccid paralysis; spastic paralysis. —paralytic adj.

Browse dictionary by letter

a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Psychology term of the day

February 28th 2025

coaction task

any performance, competition, work assignment, or other goal-oriented activity that individuals execute in the presence of one or more other individuals who are performing a similar type of task. Examples include an aerobics exercise session and students taking a written test in a classroom. Compare audience task.