hors de combat

American  

[awr duh kawn-ba] / ɔr də kɔ̃ˈba /

adverb

French.

1. out of the fight; disabled; no longer able to fight.

---

hors de combat British  

/ ɔr də kɔ̃ba /

adjective

1. disabled or injured

---

Etymology

Origin of hors de combat

literally: out of (the) fight

Example Sentences

UN human rights chief Volker Türk said his office had received "extremely disturbing reports of entire families, including women, children and hors de combat fighters, being killed".

From BBC

“Allegations of summary executions of people hors de combat should be promptly, fully and effectively investigated, and any perpetrators held to account.”

From New York Times

“We have received credible allegations of summary executions of persons hors de combat, and several cases of torture and ill-treatment, reportedly committed by members of the Ukrainian armed forces,” Bogner said.

From Seattle Times

Its use against military targets, while permitted, is discouraged if there are other means to render enemy combatants hors de combat because of the suffering caused by phosphorus burns.

From The Guardian

People who are not actually fighting, she explains, are "hors de combat" - or "out of action" - and international law is very clear about how they should be treated.

From BBC