quadriplegic
quadriplegic Lexical Profile
quadriplegic Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Relating to, affected by, or characterized by paralysis of all four limbs.
"The rehabilitation center features specialized assistive technology designed for quadriplegic patients."
• noun
A person affected by partial or total paralysis of all four limbs and the torso, typically resulting from a high spinal cord injury or neurological illness.
"As a quadriplegic, he uses voice-recognition software and eye-tracking devices to write and work independently."
Word Nuance & Usage
'Quadriplegic' combines the Latin-derived 'quadri-' (four) with the Greek '-plegic' (paralyzed); in formal medical contexts, the purely Greek equivalent 'tetraplegic' is often preferred, and person-first language (e.g., 'a person with quadriplegia') is widely recommended over using the noun form.
• Rhymes for quadriplegic
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the late 19th century as a hybrid formation from the Latin combining form 'quadri-' (meaning 'four') and the Ancient Greek 'plēgē' (meaning 'a stroke' or 'blow'), modeled after earlier medical terms like 'paraplegic'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.