ENGLISH
REFERENCE

abasia

n. uncountable
C2 Proficiency US //əˈbeɪʒjə// aba·sia

n. the inability to walk because you cannot coordinate your muscles properly. It is usually caused by a problem in the brain or nerves rather than a lack of strength.

n. an inability to walk due to a lack of muscular coordination, typically resulting from neurological impairment or psychological factors. Often distinguished from paralysis as the physical strength to move remains intact.


SIMPLE

The patient showed signs of abasia after the head injury.

CONTEXTUAL

Doctors diagnosed the patient with abasia after observing that he could move his legs while lying down but could not walk.

COMPLEX

While the neurological exam showed no loss of motor power or sensation, the patient's profound abasia suggested a functional or psychogenic origin for the gait disturbance.

Origin

From New Latin a- (“without”) + Ancient Greek βάσις (básis, “step”) + New Latin -ia (“pathological condition”).

Usage

Often used in medical contexts alongside 'astasia' (the inability to stand) to form the term 'astasia-abasia'.

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