Voadam
Legend
OD&D "As stated in CHAINMAIL for Wights, Ghouls paralyze any normal figure they touch, excluding Elves" and Chainmail said "Wights (and Ghouls) can see in darkness, and must subtract 1 from any die roll they roll when in full light. If they touch a normal figure during melee, it becomes paralyzed and remains so for one complete turn. A paralyzed figure is considered to be able to strike a blow at the Wight just prior to paralysis taking effect, so melee can occur but only one round."I remember first Banshee wail only dropping to 0 rather outright killing ya. Still fearsome though. Or how ghouls (and many other monsters) paralyse you, yet you can shake it off right by next turn as opposed to being for a MUCH longer period.
Moldvay Basic "This paralysis is the normal type (lasting 2-8 turns unless removed by a cure light wounds spell)." So 20-80 minutes.
1e D&D Monster Manual "Their touch causes humans — including dwarves, gnomes, half-elves, and halflings, but excluding elves — to become rigid (paralysis) unless a saving throw versus paralyzation is successful." No specified duration listed.
2e MCI and Monstrous Manual "This paralysis lasts for 3-8 (2 + 1d6) rounds or until negated by a priest." Not necessarily the whole rest of the fight but at least three rounds.
3.5 MM "Those hit by a ghoul’s bite or claw attack must succeed on a DC 12 Fortitude save or be paralyzed for 1d4+1 rounds."
4e MM and Monster Vault "and the target is immobilized (save ends)."