paraplegia
noun
para·ple·gia ˌper-ə-ˈplē-j(ē-)ə 
ˌpa-rə-
: partial or complete paralysis of the lower half of the body with involvement of both legs that is usually due to injury or disease of the spinal cord in the thoracic or lumbar region
paraplegic
ˌper-ə-ˈplē-jik
adjective or noun ˌpa-rə-
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Brett’s paraplegia led her to rekindle her love of cycling, which began for her as a child. 
Steven Aquino, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2021 While Musk's company touts the benefits of the technology for helping people devastated by paralysis or paraplegia, others have expressed concerns about the potential darker nature of the technology. Michelle Shen, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2022 Dad lost his youngest son—my brother Peter—to mental illness and supported his oldest son—my brother Frank—to readjusting to life in a wheelchair when an accident left him with paraplegia. Dr Margie Warrell, Forbes, 11 Nov. 2021 His treatment by police aggravated the injury that caused his paraplegia and humiliated him. BostonGlobe.com, 10 Oct. 2021 In 1917, while working as a volunteer at a hospital for coal miners, Guttmann encountered a patient with a spinal injury and paraplegia. Evelyn Frick, sun-sentinel.com, 25 Aug. 2021 Krouse ruled Moreno died of complications from paraplegia due to the gunshot wound and classified his death as a homicide. Nataly Keomoungkhoun, Dallas News, 31 Mar. 2021 Their disabilities include amputation, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, paraplegia and spinal cord injury. San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2021 Emily Barker, a 28-year-old based in Los Angeles, lives with paraplegia and an inflammatory condition that requires them to take immunosuppressant drugs. Jameson Rich, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2021 See More
Steven Aquino, Forbes, 28 Dec. 2021 While Musk's company touts the benefits of the technology for helping people devastated by paralysis or paraplegia, others have expressed concerns about the potential darker nature of the technology. Michelle Shen, USA TODAY, 24 Jan. 2022 Dad lost his youngest son—my brother Peter—to mental illness and supported his oldest son—my brother Frank—to readjusting to life in a wheelchair when an accident left him with paraplegia. Dr Margie Warrell, Forbes, 11 Nov. 2021 His treatment by police aggravated the injury that caused his paraplegia and humiliated him. BostonGlobe.com, 10 Oct. 2021 In 1917, while working as a volunteer at a hospital for coal miners, Guttmann encountered a patient with a spinal injury and paraplegia. Evelyn Frick, sun-sentinel.com, 25 Aug. 2021 Krouse ruled Moreno died of complications from paraplegia due to the gunshot wound and classified his death as a homicide. Nataly Keomoungkhoun, Dallas News, 31 Mar. 2021 Their disabilities include amputation, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, paraplegia and spinal cord injury. San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Mar. 2021 Emily Barker, a 28-year-old based in Los Angeles, lives with paraplegia and an inflammatory condition that requires them to take immunosuppressant drugs. Jameson Rich, The Atlantic, 23 Mar. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
New Latin, from Greek paraplēgiē hemiplegia, from para- + -plēgia -plegia
First Known Use
circa 1657, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
paraplegia
noun
para·ple·gia ˌpar-ə-ˈplē-j(ē-)ə
: partial or complete paralysis of the lower half of the body with involvement of both legs that is usually due to injury or disease of the spinal cord in the thoracic or lumbar region
paraplegia
noun
as in quadriplegia
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- quadriplegia
- hemiplegia
- paresis
- diplegia
- disability
- impairment
- lameness
- spastic paralysis
- debility
- paralysis
- poliomyelitis
- infirmity
- palsy
- decrepitude
- feebleness
- debilitation
- cerebral palsy
- multiple sclerosis
- frailty
- weakness
- enfeeblement
- frailness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- mobility
- sensation
- motility