Disable
[dɪs'eɪb(ə)l] or [dɪs'ebl]
Definition
(verb.) injure permanently; 'He was disabled in a car accident'.
(verb.) make unable to perform a certain action; 'disable this command on your computer'.
Typed by Dewey--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) Lacking ability; unable.
(v. t.) To render unable or incapable; to destroy the force, vigor, or power of action of; to deprive of competent physical or intellectual power; to incapacitate; to disqualify; to make incompetent or unfit for service; to impair.
(v. t.) To deprive of legal right or qualification; to render legally incapable.
(v. t.) To deprive of that which gives value or estimation; to declare lacking in competency; to disparage; to undervalue.
Checked by Douglas
Synonyms and Synonymous
v. a. [1].Weaken, enfeeble, cripple, paralyze, unman, disenable, deprive of strength.[2].Disqualify, incapacitate, unfit, make incapable.
Edited by Albert
Definition
v.t. to deprive of power: to weaken: to disqualify.—ns. Disā′blement Disabil′ity want of power; want of legal qualification: disqualification.
Editor: Whitney
Examples
- I asked you if you had ever known a man who had tried to disable himself by kicking himself in the scrotum. Ernest Hemingway. A Farewell To Arms.
- My terror, as I lay there, of falling ill, and being unfitted for to-morrow, was so besetting, that I wonder it did not disable me of itself. Charles Dickens. Great Expectations.
- Boilers are placed in separate water-tight compartments, so that damage to one does not disable the others. Edward W. Byrn. The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.
- Miss Van Campen, I said, did you ever know a man who tried to disable himself by kicking himself in the scrotum? Ernest Hemingway. A Farewell To Arms.
- A certain amount of baggage was allowed per man, and saddle animals were to be furnished to commissioned officers and to all disabled persons. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- If I could but touch them the huge bulk would be disabled for hours and escape once more possible. Edgar Rice Burroughs. The Gods of Mars.
- All sick and disabled soldiers will be left in these hospitals. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- On the night of the 22d of April they ran the batteries, five getting through more or less disabled while one was sunk. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- Two of the strongest of our gunboats had been disabled, presumably beyond the possibility of rendering any present assistance. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- The Henry Clay was disabled and deserted by her crew. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- Yet divided and disabled as she was, she could yet count some notable victories to her credit. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
- The disabling dogs, which might be necessary for keeping flocks and herds, from running at the deer, was called lawing, and was in general use. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- Twenty fatal and many disabling accidents occurred during the construction of the bridge. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- Which disables me from helping you by pill or potion. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
Editor: Shelton