paralyze

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par·a·lyze / ˈparəˌlīz/ (Brit. par·a·lyse) • v. [tr.] (often be paralyzed) cause (a person or part of the body) to become partly or wholly incapable of movement: Mrs. Burrows had been paralyzed by a stroke | [as adj.] (paralyzed) he became partially paralyzed. ∎  render (someone) unable to think or act normally, esp. through panic or fear: some people are paralyzed by the thought of failure | [as adj.] (paralyzing) her paralyzing shyness. ∎  bring (a system, place, or organization) to a standstill by causing disruption or chaos: the regional capital was paralyzed by a general strike.DERIVATIVES: par·a·lyz·ing·ly / -ˌlīzing/ adv.