palsy
[pˈɔlzi] /ˈpȯl-zē/ (ame, mw) · /ˈpɔːlzi/ (bre, ipa) · [pˈɔlzi] /ˈpɔːlzi/ (ame, ipa)
palsy — adjective
- palsypositive
- palsiercomparative
- palsiestsuperlative
1. behaving as if you know someone very well and are extremely close to them, in a
behaving as if you know someone very well and are extremely close to them, in a way that seems forced or insincere.
Tomás grew tired of his new colleague's palsy-walsy attitude at every team meeting.
palsy-walsy attitude — describes forced friendliness
The manager tried to act palsy-walsy with the staff, but nobody believed she really cared.
palsy-walsy + with + [person]
Wei found it awkward when a stranger at the bus stop became palsy-walsy without warning.
Stop being so palsy-walsy with me — we only met five minutes ago.
Aunt Yara's palsy-walsy tone at the family dinner made her teenage nephew roll his eyes.
- chummy
less critical, sometimes affectionate
- buddy-buddy
same register, more common in American English
- matey
British English, slightly warmer tone
文法句型
palsy-walsy + with + [person]
用法筆記
Only used in the full rhyming pair 'palsy-walsy'; the adjective cannot be shortened to just 'palsy'. The tone is critical or dismissive.
常見錯誤
palsy — noun
- palsysingular
- palsiesplural
1. a health condition linked to nerve or brain injury that leaves someone unable to
a health condition linked to nerve or brain injury that leaves someone unable to move all or some of their limbs or facial muscles.
The stroke left Anjali with a mild palsy on the left side of her face.
palsy + of + body part
Babies born with certain brain injuries may develop cerebral palsy that affects their muscle control.
cerebral palsy — most common medical term
Doctors diagnosed the child with Bell's palsy, causing half her face to droop.
Physical therapy helped Kofi regain movement in his arm after the palsy began.
After the stroke, Mei-Ling's palsy kept her from lifting her right arm.
- paralysis
more general term, less medical; can be temporary or permanent
- immobility
describes the effect rather than the cause
- mobility
ability to move freely
文法句型
palsy + of + [body part]
diagnosed with + palsy
用法筆記
Often appears in compound medical terms such as 'cerebral palsy', 'Bell's palsy', and 'cerebral palsy'. When used alone, it refers broadly to paralysis of any cause.
常見錯誤
2. a medical disorder that causes the body or parts of it to shake involuntarily, t
a medical disorder that causes the body or parts of it to shake involuntarily, typically resulting from nerve-related damage that interferes with normal muscle control.
The old man's palsy made it hard to hold a teacup without spilling.
A medication helped reduce the palsy in Meera's fingers so she could write clearly again.
palsy + in + [body part]
People with this palsy notice a shake in their hands when they try to rest.
Lukas has a mild palsy that makes his leg tremble when he stands too long.
Nia's voice tremor was diagnosed as palsy from an old nerve injury.
- steadiness
absence of shaking
- stability
controlled, reliable movement
文法句型
palsy + in + [body part]
suffer from + palsy
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense noun/1 (PARALYSIS): this sense involves involuntary shaking rather than complete loss of movement. The two conditions can overlap — some patients experience both.
常見錯誤
palsy — verb
- palsypresent simple I / you / we / they
- palsies3rd person singular
- palsying-ing form
- palsiedpast simple
1. to make a part of the body become weak, stop moving, or shake uncontrollably, as
to make a part of the body become weak, stop moving, or shake uncontrollably, as a result of disease or nerve damage.
The rare disease palsied his left hand, leaving it weak and trembling.
rare disease + palsied + body part
A sudden stroke palsied the right side of Noor's face and arm overnight.
Diego's legs were palsied by the infection, forcing him to use a wheelchair.
The nerve damage from the accident palsied the patient's vocal cords, making speech very difficult.
Without early treatment, the condition can palsy both arms, leaving the patient dependent on others.
- strengthen
to make stronger
- mobilize
to restore movement
文法句型
be palsied + by + [cause]
[cause] + palsy + [body part]
用法筆記
Usually found in the passive form ('was palsied') or describing a medical condition. The active form ('palsies', 'palsied', 'palsying') is very rare in everyday speech.