What is "paresis"

Paresis \Par"e*sis\, n. [NL., from Gr. pa`resis, fr. parie`nai to let go; para` from + "ie`nai to send.] (Med.) Incomplete paralysis, affecting motion but not sensation.

"partial paralysis," 1690s, Modern Latin, from Greek paresis "letting go, slackening of strength, paralysis," from stem of parienai "to let go," from para- (see para- (1)) + hienai "to send, throw" (see jet (v.)).

n. 1 A paralysis which is incomplete or which occurs in isolated areas. 2 inflammation of the brain as a cause of dementia or paralysis.

n. a slight or partial paralysis

Paresis is a condition typified by a weakness of voluntary movement, or partial loss of voluntary movement or by impaired movement. When used without qualifiers, it usually refers to the limbs, but it can also be used to describe the muscles of the eyes ( ophthalmoparesis), the stomach ( gastroparesis), and also the vocal cords ( Vocal cord paresis). Neurologists use the term paresis to describe weakness, and plegia to describe paralysis in which all voluntary movement is lost. The term paresis comes from the "letting go" or "paralysis" from παρίημι "to let go, to let fall".