infantile paralysis

noun

: polio

Examples of infantile paralysis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Polio, also known as poliomyelitis or infantile paralysis, is a serious and life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus that mainly, though not exclusively, affects children under five years of age. Robert Hart, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2022 When infantile paralysis struck her husband, rendering him first a helpless cripple and then a man who never again would walk without the aid of cane and braces, Mother’s true strength and courage emerged. James Roosevelt, Good Housekeeping, 5 May 2022 Residents battled outbreaks of the Spanish flu, smallpox and infantile paralysis. Michael M. Phillips, WSJ, 10 June 2021 In the meantime, more children would be afflicted with polio, with more instances of infantile paralysis, more deaths. Annika Neklason, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Mar. 2021 After his body was recovered by Merritt Coffin, son of Cordie Coffin, it was learned that young Kurm was an infantile paralysis victim and that his death probably was a result of this affliction, rather than that of drowning. Post-Tribune, 9 Oct. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'infantile paralysis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1843, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of infantile paralysis was in 1843

Dictionary Entries Near infantile paralysis

Cite this Entry

“Infantile paralysis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/infantile%20paralysis. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

infantile paralysis

noun

Medical Definition

infantile paralysis

noun
: polio
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