Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
” Many persons thus afflicted were cured by our Lord (Matt. 4:24; 8:5-13; 9:2-7; Mark 2:3-11; Luke 7:2-10; John 5:5-7) and the apostles (Acts 8:7; 9:33, 34).
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
(contracted from paralysis). The loss of sensation or the power of motion, or both, in any part of the body.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
PAL'SY (contr. from paralysis), a disease which deprives the part affected of sensation or the power of motion, or of both, according as the sensory or the motor nerves, or both, are attacked. T. it imports apoplexy, or paralysis of the whole system; paralysis of one side; a paralysis affecting the whole body below the neck; and a paralysis caused by a contraction of the muscles, so that the limbs can be neither drawn up nor extended, and soon become emaciated and dried up. 1 Kgs 13:4-6; Matt 4:24; Matt 12:10-13; Luke 6:6; John 5:5-7.
A fearful form of this disease is known in Eastern countries. The limbs remain immovably fixed in the position in which they were at the time of the attack, and the suffering is so exquisitely severe that death is often occasioned in a few days. Matt 8:6.