First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1maim
verb \ˈmām\
: to injure (someone) very badly by violence
Full Definition of MAIM
transitive verb
1
: to commit the felony of mayhem upon
2
: to mutilate, disfigure, or wound seriously
— maim·er noun
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Origin of MAIM
Middle English maymen, mahaymen, from Anglo-French maheimer, mahaigner — more at mayhem
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
noun
Definition 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
MAIMER Defined for Kids
maim
verb \ˈmām\
maimedmaim·ing
Definition of MAIM for Kids
: to injure badly or cripple by violence
Medical Dictionary
maim
transitive verb \ˈmām\
Medical Definition of MAIM
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