paraplegic

[par-uh-plee-jik, -plej-ik]

adjective

1. having paraplegia; paralyzed in the lower half of the body or in both lower limbs as a result of spinal disease or injury.

noun

1. a person who is paralyzed in this way.

Word History and Origins

Origin of paraplegic¹

First recorded in 1820–30; from New Latin paraplēgicus, from Ionic Greek paraplēgikós; paraplegia ( def. )

Example Sentences

The 23-year-old woman who wants to end her life is paraplegic due to injuries suffered when she tried to take her own life in 2022.

From BBC

Backstory: The bitter rivalry between screen legends Bette Davis and Joan Crawford helped propel this film about an aging onetime child star who torments her sister, a paraplegic former actor.

From Los Angeles Times

Joseph Tusia seemed to be running a legitimate business, hiring paraplegic employees.

From Los Angeles Times

Another whose 1-year-old son became paraplegic after a drunk driver hit the family car.

From Los Angeles Times

A mother of two has been left paraplegic after being shot by Iranian police over an alleged violation of the country's strict hijab rules, a source with knowledge of the case has told the BBC.

From BBC

Related Words

• paralyzed www.thesaurus.com