maim

¹maim

verb \ˈmām\

Definition of MAIM

transitive verb

1

: to commit the felony of mayhem upon

2

: to mutilate, disfigure, or wound seriously

— maim·er noun

Examples of MAIM

1. The bomb killed 16 people and maimed several others.
2. <on-the-job accidents maim far too many workers every year>

Origin of MAIM

Middle English maymen, mahaymen, from Anglo-French maheimer, mahaigner — more at mayhem

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to MAIM

Synonyms: cripple, disable, incapacitate, lame, mutilate

Related Words: dismember, hamstring, hobble, paralyze; batter, bruise, bung up, mangle, maul, rough (up); gore, lacerate, wing, wound; disfigure, scar; kneecap; break, damage, harm, hurt, impair, injure; bash, beat, belt, bludgeon, buffet, drub, hammer, lace, lambaste (or lambast), lick, paste, pelt, pommel, pound, pummel, thump; bang, box, hit, punch, slap, smack, smash, sock, spank, swat, swipe, thrash, thwack, whack; flog, lash, wallop, whip; kill, murder; torment, torture

Near Antonyms: cure, heal, rehabilitate, remedy; doctor, fix, mend, patch; rejuvenate, renew, repair, restore

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Synonym Discussion of MAIM

maim, cripple, mutilate, batter, mangle mean to injure so severely as to cause lasting damage. maim implies the loss or injury of a bodily member through violence <maimed by a shark>. cripple implies the loss or serious impairment of an arm or leg <crippled for life in an accident>. mutilate implies the cutting off or removal of an essential part of a person or thing thereby impairing its completeness, beauty, or function <a tree mutilated by inept pruning>. batter implies a series of blows that bruise deeply, deform, or mutilate <an old ship battered by fierce storms>. mangle implies a tearing or crushing that leaves deep wounds <a soldier's leg mangled by shrapnel>.