impaired
[ im-paird ]
/ ɪmˈpɛərd /
adjective
weakened, diminished, or damaged: impaired hearing; to rebuild an impaired bridge.
functioning poorly or inadequately: Consumption of alcohol results in an impaired driver.
deficient or incompetent (usually preceded by an adverb or noun): morally impaired; sports-impaired.
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Nearby words
impactful, impaction, impactite, impactive, impair, impaired, impairment, impala, impale, impalpable, impanation
Related forms
un·im·paired, adjectiveDefinition for impaired (2 of 2)
impair
1[ im-pair ]
/ ɪmˈpɛər /
verb (used with object)
to make or cause to become worse; diminish in ability, value, excellence, etc.; weaken or damage: to impair one's health; to impair negotiations.
verb (used without object)
to grow or become worse; lessen.
noun
Archaic. impairment.
Origin of impair
11250–1300; Middle English empairen, empeiren to make worse < Middle French empeirer, equivalent to em- im-1 + peirer to make worse < Late Latin pējōrāre, equivalent to Latin pējōr-, stem of pējor worse + -ā- thematic vowel + -re infinitive suffix; cf. pejorative
Related forms
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for impaired
British Dictionary definitions for impaired
impair
/ (ɪmˈpɛə) /
verb
(tr) to reduce or weaken in strength, quality, etchis hearing was impaired by an accident
Derived Forms
impairable, adjectiveimpairer, nounimpairment, nounWord Origin for impair
C14: from Old French empeirer to make worse, from Late Latin pējorāre, from Latin pejor worse; see pejorative
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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