Definition

1. Verb:
   • To injure a person or animal severely and permanently, typically by damaging a limb or other body part so that it is lost or its function is destroyed.
   • To cause serious, lasting physical harm that results in disfigurement or the loss of the use of a part of the body.

Usage

The verb "maim" is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object (e.g., maim someone or maim something). It describes an action that causes grievous, often irreversible, bodily harm. It is a strong word used for serious, violent injuries.

Examples

• Verb:
  • The landmine explosion maimed several soldiers.
  • The criminal threatened to maim his hostage.
  • Illegal traps can maim wildlife.

Advanced Usage

• Used in legal/formal contexts: The term is often used in legal documents, medical reports, and news about violent crimes or accidents to describe the nature of the injuries.
  • The statute defines assault with intent to maim.
• Figurative use (less common): Sometimes used metaphorically to mean severely damaging the function or completeness of something non-physical.
  • The censorship maimed the artist's original screenplay.

Variants and Related Words

• Maimed (adjective): Describing a person or animal that has been severely injured.
  • The maimed veteran received a prosthesis.
• Maiming (noun): The act of causing such an injury.
  • He was charged with assault and maiming.

Synonyms

• Mutilate: Often used interchangeably with "maim," but can imply a more deliberate, savage disfigurement.
• Cripple: To disable, often by injuring legs or feet; can be used more broadly than "maim."
• Disable: To deprive of capability; a more general term.
• Incapacitate: To deprive of strength or ability; can be temporary or permanent.

Antonyms

• Heal
• Cure
• Mend
• Rehabilitate

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "To maim and kill": A phrase often used together to describe extreme violence.
  • The bomb was designed to maim and kill.
• (No common phrasal verb form): "Maim" is not typically used in phrasal verb constructions.

Verb

1. injure or wound seriously and leave permanent disfiguration or mutilation
   • people were maimed by the explosion