quadriplegic

noun

quad·​ri·​ple·​gic ˌkwä-drə-ˈplē-jik How to pronounce quadriplegic (audio)
: one affected with partial or complete paralysis of both the arms and legs especially as a result of spinal cord injury or disease in the region of the neck
quadriplegia noun

Did you know?

Quadriplegia is the result of injury or illness, almost always affecting the spine. Though a paraplegic has lost the use only of his or her legs, quadriplegics are paralyzed in all four limbs. Today voice-activated wheelchairs help the quadriplegic get around, and houses can be equipped with similar systems to operate lights and appliances; monkeys have even been trained to assist quadriplegics with everyday tasks. The work of the quadriplegic actor Christopher Reeve has led to remarkable advances in developing new nerve connections, enabling some determined paraplegics and quadriplegics to walk again.

Examples of quadriplegic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The trial is open to patients who are quadriplegics as a result of a cervical spinal cord injury or have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 30 Jan. 2024 Through weaving back and forth in time, the filmmakers also examined two key moments in Christopher’s life: his casting as Clark Kent in 1978’s Superman and the life-changing injury that left him quadriplegic in 1995. Brendan Le, Peoplemag, 22 Jan. 2024 Pamela Pinckney’s son Hakeem Pinckney became a quadriplegic after a car crash. Ben Brasch, Washington Post, 29 Nov. 2023 In 1996, Noni — who’d long since remarried a Disney special-effects engineer and settled into a peaceful life on a ranch north of Los Angeles in Santa Clarita — became blind and a quadriplegic after a routine hysterectomy that went awry, resulting in an aneurysm, then a stroke. Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Nov. 2023 A little more than four years prior to Leveille’s career ending, Patriots receiver Darryl Stingley was rendered a quadriplegic on a devastating smack by notorious Raiders defensive back Jack Tatum. Kevin Paul Dupont, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Oct. 2022 In the state's 2nd Congressional District, the state’s treasurer, Seth Magaziner, is considered the front-runner and has been endorsed by Langevin, who was the first quadriplegic to serve in Congress. Jennifer McDermott, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Sep. 2022 In 1999, while wrestling for the WWE, Drozdov was involved in a tragic ring accident that rendered him a quadriplegic. Mark Heim | Mheim@al.com, al, 30 June 2023 Ani, who appears in flashback scenes, was involved in a devastating accident that resulted in a new life as a double amputee and quadriplegic. Mary Colurso | McOlurso@al.com, al, 10 June 2023

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

Word History

Etymology

quadriplegia, from New Latin

First Known Use

1921, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of quadriplegic was in 1921

Dictionary Entries Near quadriplegic

Cite this Entry

“Quadriplegic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quadriplegic. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

quadriplegic

noun
quad·​ri·​ple·​gic ˌkwäd-rə-ˈplē-jik How to pronounce quadriplegic (audio)
: a person who is paralyzed in both arms and both legs

Medical Definition

quadriplegic

1 of 2 adjective
quad·​ri·​ple·​gic ˌkwäd-rə-ˈplē-jik How to pronounce quadriplegic (audio)
: of, relating to, or affected with quadriplegia
quadriplegic patients

quadriplegic

2 of 2 noun
: one affected with quadriplegia

called also tetraplegic

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