Definitions for: Maim


[v] injure or wound seriously and leave permanent disfiguration or mutilation



Webster (1913) Definition: Maim, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Maimed;p. pr. & vb. n.
Maiming.] [OE. maimen, OF. mahaignier, mehaignier,
meshaignier, cf. It. magagnare, LL. mahemiare, mahennare;
perh. of Celtic origin; cf. Armor. mac'ha?a to mutilate,
m[=a]c'ha to crowd, press; or cf. OHG. mang?n to lack, perh.
akin to E. mangle to lacerate. Cf. Mayhem.]
1. To deprive of the use of a limb, so as to render a person
on fighting less able either to defend himself or to annoy
his adversary.

By the ancient law of England he that maimed any man
whereby he lost any part of his body, was sentenced
to lose the like part. --Blackstone.

2. To mutilate; to cripple; to injure; to disable; to impair.

My late maimed limbs lack wonted might. --Spenser.

You maimed the jurisdiction of all bishops. --Shak.

Syn: To mutilate; mangle; cripple.


Maim, n. [Written in law language maihem, and
mayhem.] [OF. mehaing. See Maim, v.]
1. The privation of the use of a limb or member of the body,
by which one is rendered less able to defend himself or to
annoy his adversary.

2. The privation of any necessary part; a crippling;
mutilation; injury; deprivation of something essential.
See Mayhem.

Surely there is more cause to fear lest the want
there of be a maim than the use of it a blemish.
--Hooker.

A noble author esteems it to be a maim in history
that the acts of Parliament should not be recited.
--Hayward.

See Also: cripple, injure, lame, mar, mutilate, wound

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