maimed
C1Formal, Literary, Journalistic. Often used in serious contexts like reports of violence, accidents, or war.
Definition
Meaning
To injure (someone or something) severely, often causing permanent damage or loss of a body part.
To damage or impair something significantly, reducing its effectiveness, integrity, or beauty; to cripple or mutilate.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word implies serious, lasting physical damage, often involving the loss of a limb or function. It carries strong connotations of violence, suffering, and permanent disfigurement. It can be used literally (physical injury) or metaphorically (damage to systems, plans, or artistic works).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Identically strong negative connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both, reserved for severe contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be/get] maimed (by something)[someone/something] maimed [someone/something]maimed in [event/action]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “maimed and scarred”
- “to leave someone maimed”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically: 'The scandal maimed the company's reputation for years.'
Academic
Used in historical, medical, or sociological texts discussing war, violence, or disability.
Everyday
Uncommon in casual conversation. Used for serious news reports or descriptions of severe accidents.
Technical
Used in medical or forensic contexts to describe specific types of traumatic injury.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The accident maimed several pedestrians on the High Street.
- The legislation could maim the entire industry if passed.
American English
- The explosion maimed three firefighters downtown.
- Piracy continues to maim the profits of software companies.
adverb
British English
- Not commonly used as an adverb. No standard examples.
American English
- Not commonly used as an adverb. No standard examples.
adjective
British English
- The maimed soldiers were honoured at the ceremony.
- They rescued the maimed fox and took it to a sanctuary.
American English
- Maimed veterans faced immense challenges upon returning home.
- The maimed sculpture was a sad remnant of the museum's former collection.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He was badly maimed in the car crash.
- The story was about a maimed knight.
- Landmines continue to maim innocent civilians long after conflicts have ended.
- The critic argued that the director's edits had maimed the original play.
- The psychological scars often outlast the physical ones for those maimed in combat.
- The treaty was so heavily amended during negotiations that its original intent was effectively maimed.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MAIL-man who lost an arm – he was MAIMED and can no longer deliver mail properly. The 'aim' in 'maimed' sounds like a target of violence.
Conceptual Metaphor
DAMAGE IS DISMEMBERMENT / FAILURE IS CRIPPLING (e.g., 'The budget cuts maimed the research programme.').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'main' (основной).
- Сильнее, чем просто 'раненый' (wounded). Ближе к 'искалеченный', 'изувеченный'.
- Может описывать как людей, так и животных, реже – абстрактные понятия.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for minor injuries (incorrect: 'I maimed my finger with a paper cut.').
- Confusing spelling with 'manned' or 'named'.
- Using it in overly casual contexts.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely context for the word 'maimed'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While most commonly used for people and animals, it can be used metaphorically for objects, systems, or abstract things (e.g., reputation, plans) to mean severely damaged.
'Injured' is a broad term for any harm. 'Maimed' is much stronger and specific, implying a severe, permanent injury that often involves loss of a limb or major function.
It is descriptive but not a precise clinical term. A doctor's report would use specific terminology like 'traumatic amputation' or 'disfiguring laceration', though 'maimed' might appear in summary notes or patient descriptions.
Yes, it can be highly offensive and dehumanizing. It reduces a person to their injury. Use person-first, neutral language (e.g., 'a person with a disability', 'a survivor of an injury') unless referencing a specific violent act where the term is factually accurate in context.