paraplegia Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun paralysis of the lower half of the body (most often as a result of trauma)

WordNet

Par`a*ple"gi*a, Par"a*ple`gy noun (Also<
  • Paraplegia
  • Paraplegy
)
Etymology
NL. paraplegia, fr. Gr. hemiplegia, fr. to strike at the side; beside + to strike: cf. F. paraplégie.
Definitions
  1. (Med.) Palsy of the lower half of the body on both sides, caused usually by disease of the spinal cord. -- Par`a*pleg"ic a.

Webster 1913