'Maim' definitions:

Definition of 'maim'

From: WordNet
verb
Injure or wound seriously and leave permanent disfiguration or mutilation; "people were maimed by the explosion"

Definition of 'Maim'

From: GCIDE
  • Maim \Maim\ (m[=a]m), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Maimed (m[=a]md);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[~n]a to mutilate, m[=a]c'ha to crowd, press; or cf. OHG. mang[=o]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 in fighting less able either to defend himself or to annoy his adversary. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. To mutilate; to cripple; to injure; to disable; to impair. [1913 Webster]
  • My late maimed limbs lack wonted might. --Spenser. [1913 Webster]
  • You maimed the jurisdiction of all bishops. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • Syn: To mutilate; mangle; cripple. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Maim'

From: GCIDE
  • Maim \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. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. The privation of any necessary part; a crippling; mutilation; injury; deprivation of something essential. See Mayhem. [1913 Webster]
  • Surely there is more cause to fear lest the want there of be a maim than the use of it a blemish. --Hooker. [1913 Webster]
  • A noble author esteems it to be a maim in history that the acts of Parliament should not be recited. --Hayward. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'Maim'