The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Paralysis \Pa*ral"y*sis\, n. [L., fr. Gr. para`lysis, fr.
   paraly`ein to loosen, dissolve, or disable at the side; para`
   beside + ly`ein to loosen. See Para-, and Loose, and cf.
   Palsy.] (Med.)
   Abolition of function, whether complete or partial; esp., the
   loss of the power of voluntary motion, with or without that
   of sensation, in any part of the body; palsy. See
   Hemiplegia, and Paraplegia. Also used figuratively; as,
   paralysis of the will. "Utter paralysis of memory." --G.
   Eliot.
   [1913 Webster]

         Mischievous practices arising out of the paralysis of
         the powers of ownership.                 --Duke of
                                                  Argyll (1887).
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

paralysis
    n 1: loss of the ability to move a body part [syn: paralysis,
         palsy]