Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Disable

Dis-a′ble

,
Adj.
Lacking ability; unable.
[Obs.]
“Our disable and unactive force.”
Daniel.

Dis-a′ble

(?; 277)
,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Disabled
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Disabling
.]
1.
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.
A Christian’s life is a perpetual exercise, a wrestling and warfare, for which sensual pleasure
disables
him.
Jer. Taylor.
And had performed it, if my known offense
Had not
disabled
me.
Milton.
I have
disabled
mine estate.
Shakespeare
2.
(Law)
To deprive of legal right or qualification; to render legally incapable.
An attainder of the ancestor corrupts the blood, and
disables
his children to inherit.
Blackstone.
Syn. – To weaken; unfit; disqualify; incapacitate.

Webster 1828 Edition


Disable

DISABLE

,
Verb.
T.
[dis and able.]
1.
To render unable; to deprive of competent natural strength or power. A man is disabled to walk by a broken or paralytic leg, by sickness, &c.
2.
To deprive of mental power, as by destroying or weakening the understanding.
3.
To deprive of adequate means, instruments or resources. A nation may be disabled to carry on war by want of money. The loss of a ship may disable a man to prosecute commerce, or to pay his debts.
4.
To destroy the strength; or to weaken and impair so as to render incapable of action, service or resistance. A fleet is disabled by a storm, or by a battle. A ship is disabled by the loss of her masts or spars.
5.
To destroy or impair and weaken the means which render any thing active, efficacious or useful; to destroy or diminish any competent means.
6.
To deprive of legal qualifications, or competent power; to incapacitate; to render incapable.
An attainder of the ancestor corrupts the blood and disables his children to inherit.

Definition 2024


disable

disable

English

Verb

disable (third-person singular simple present disables, present participle disabling, simple past and past participle disabled)

  1. (transitive) To render unable; to take away an ability of.
  2. (chiefly of a person) To impair the physical or mental abilities of; to cause a serious, permanent injury.
    Falling off the horse disabled him.
  3. to deactivate a function of an electronical or mechanical device.
    The pilot had to disable the autopilot of his airplane.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Derived terms

Translations

Adjective

disable (comparative more disable, superlative most disable)

  1. (obsolete) Lacking ability; unable.
    • Daniel
      Our disable and unactive force.

Anagrams