maim
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1maim
transitive verb \ˈmām\Definition of MAIM
1
: to commit the felony of mayhem upon
2
: to mutilate, disfigure, or wound seriously
— maim·er noun
Examples of MAIM
- The bomb killed 16 people and maimed several others.
- <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
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>.
2maim
nounDefinition of MAIM
1
obsolete : serious physical injury; especially : loss of a member of the body
2
obsolete : a serious loss
First Known Use of MAIM
14th century
maim
transitive verb \ˈmām\ (Medical Dictionary)Medical Definition of MAIM
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