paresis vs. paralysis

paresis

noun

Pathology.
  1. partial motor paralysis.
  2. a late manifestation of syphilis, characterized by progressive dementia and paralysis.

paralysis

noun

plural paralyses
  1. Pathology.
    1. a loss or impairment of voluntary movement in a body part, caused by injury or disease of the nerves, brain, or spinal cord.
    2. a disease characterized by this, especially palsy.
  2. a state of helpless stoppage, inactivity, or inability to act:

    The strike caused a paralysis of all shipping.