impair


im·pair

verb \im-ˈper\

Definition of IMPAIR

transitive verb
: to damage or make worse by or as if by diminishing in some material respect <his health was impaired by overwork> <the strike seriously impaired community services>
im·pair·er noun
im·pair·ment \-mənt\ noun

Examples of IMPAIR

  1. Smoking can impair your health.
  2. Drinking impairs a person's ability to think clearly.
  3. His memory was so impaired by age that he often forgot where he was.

Origin of IMPAIR

Middle English empeiren, from Anglo-French empeirer, from Vulgar Latin *impejorare, from Latin in- + Late Latin pejorare to make worse — more at pejorative
First Known Use: 14th century

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