paraplegia

views updated May 21 2018

par·a·ple·gi·a / ˌparəˈplēj(ē)ə/ • n. paralysis of the legs and lower body, typically caused by spinal injury or disease.DERIVATIVES: par·a·ple·gic / -jik/ adj. & n.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

paraplegia

views updated May 17 2018

paraplegia partial paralysis. XVII. — Gr. paraplēgíā, f. paraplḗssein, f. PARA-1 + plḗssein strike; see -IA1.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

paraplegia

views updated May 29 2018

paraplegia (pa-ră-plee-jiă) n. paralysis of both legs, usually due to disease or injury of the spinal cord. It is often accompanied by loss of sensation below the level of the injury and disturbed bladder function.
—paraplegic adj., n.

A Dictionary of Nursing

paraplegia

views updated May 18 2018

paraplegia Paralysis of both legs. It is usually due to spinal cord injury, and often accompanied by loss of sensation below the site of the damage.

World Encyclopedia