King James Bible Dictionary

A shorter form of "paralysis." Many persons thus afflicted were cured by our Lord (Matthew 4:24; 8:5-13; 9:2-7; Mark 2:3-11; Luke 7:2-10; John 5:5-7) and the apostles (Acts 8:7; 9:33, 34).

See Paralysis
Paralysis

(contracted from paralysis). The loss of sensation or the power of motion, or both, in any part of the body. The infirmities included under this name in the New Testament were various:

1. The paralytic shock affecting the whole body, or apoplexy.
2. That affecting only one side.
3. Affecting the whole system below the neck.
4. Catalepsy, caused by the contraction of the muscles in the whole or a part of the body. This was very dangerous and often fatal. The part affected remains immovable and diminishes in size and dries up. A hand thus affected was called "a withered hand." (Matthew 12:10-13)
5. Cramp. This was a most dreadful disease caused by the chills of the nights. The limbs remain immovably fixed in the same position as when seized as it, and the person seems like one suffering torture. It is frequently followed in a few days by death. Several paralytics were cured by Jesus. (Matthew 4:24; 8:13) etc.

PAL'SY, noun s as z. [supposed to be contracted from Gr. relaxation; to loosen or relax.] The loss or defect of the power of voluntary muscular motion in the whole body, or in a particular part; paralysis. When one side only of the body is affected, it is called hemiplegy. When the lower part of the body is paralytic, it is called paraplegy. palsy may be a loss of the power of motion without a loss of sensation, or a loss of sensation without loss of motion, or a loss of both.

PALSY, verb transitive s as z. To paralyze; to deprive of the power of motion; to destroy energy.