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>3slang : not being in the know : square4 a: inferior <a lame school> b: contemptible, nasty <lame racist jokes>

— lame·ly adverb

— lame·ness noun