Main Entry: ¹lame

Pronunciation: \ˈlām\

Function: adjective

Inflected Form(s): lam·er; lam·est

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English lama; akin to Old High German lam lame, Lithuanian limti to break down

Date: before 12th century

1 a : having a body part and especially a limb so disabled as to impair freedom of movement b : marked by stiffness and soreness <a lame shoulder>
2 : lacking needful or desirable substance : weak, ineffectual <a lame excuse>
3 slang : not being in the know : square
4 a : inferior <a lame school> b : contemptible, nasty <lame racist jokes>

— lame·ly adverb

— lame·ness noun