paresis

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   slight or partial paralysis; weakness of voluntary movement without complete loss of it

   Vocal-cord paresis left the singer with a weak, breathy voice.

2. 2
   noun

   general paresis, a progressive neurological disorder caused by late-stage syphilis

   Before effective antibiotics, general paresis was a major cause of dementia in psychiatric hospitals.

From New Latin paresis, from Greek paresis ("letting go, relaxation"), from parienai ("to let go"), built from para- + hienai ("to send, let go").

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