Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Inoperative.
  • adjective Impaired, as in physical functioning.
  • noun Physically or mentally impaired people considered as a group.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective injured so as to be unable to function.
  • adjective unable to function at normal capacity.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Made incapable of use or action.
  • adjective Having a disability, especially physical.
  • adjective law Legally disqualified.
  • noun Those who are disabled, regarded collectively or as a social group.
  • verb Simple past tense and past participle of disable.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective incapable of functioning as a consequence of injury or illness
  • noun people collectively who are crippled or otherwise physically handicapped

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

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Examples

  • Though Sir Philip may dislike the term "disabled", many identify strongly with it and believe it is helpful.

    BBC News - Home 2011

  • That refusing to use the term disabled to describe conjoined twins is akin to refusing to call a black person black.

    hazel8500 Hazel 2010

  • That refusing to use the term disabled to describe conjoined twins is akin to refusing to call a black person black.

    hazel8500 Hazel 2010

  • To others, it makes sense considering how broad the term disabled is and the laws in place for awarding disability pensions.

    The Patriot Ledger Home RSS Elizabeth Crowley 2009

  • Kballweb, why do people use the term disabled instead of handicapped?

    Dvorak Uncensored 2008

  • But maybe Sarah Palin thinks mistreating non-whites, religious minorities, and the disabled is an okay thing to do.

    Palin: 'I will forever question' Rev. Wright strategy 2009

  • "Caring for the disabled is a sign of social progress, and is an important part of building a harmonious society," China's top legislator Wu Bangguo said of the amendment.

    In anticipation of Paralympics, Chinese ready to better protect disabled people BA Haller 2008

  • Sir Philip thinks the word "disabled" has negative connotations Sir Philip Craven, the president of the International Paralympic Committee, refuses to use the "D-word", and believes the 2012 London games will help to consign it to history.

    BBC News - Home 2011

  • The fact that the daughter was disabled is largely irrelevant to the fact that the family was hounded to death.

    IPCC To Investigate Barwell Deaths « POLICE INSPECTOR BLOG Inspector Gadget 2009

  • Washington's rate of awarding lifetime pensions for workers it deems permanently disabled is also the highest in the nation.

    Washington vs. Oregon 2010

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