Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- transitive verb To render immobile.
- transitive verb To fix the position of (a joint or fractured limb), as with a splint or cast.
- transitive verb To impede movement or use of.
- transitive verb To withdraw (specie) from circulation and reserve as security for other money.
- transitive verb To convert (floating capital) into fixed capital.
from The Century Dictionary.
- To render immobile; fix so as to be or become immovable.
- To deprive of the capacity for mobilization.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- transitive verb To make immovable; in surgery, to make immovable (a naturally mobile part, as a joint) by the use of splints, or stiffened bandages.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- verb To render
motionless ; to stopmoving or stop from moving.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- verb to hold fast or prevent from moving
- verb cause to be unable to move
- verb make defenseless
- verb prohibit the conversion or use of (assets)
- verb convert (assets) into fixed capital
- verb hold as reserve or withdraw from circulation; of capital
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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In a case that is partially reflective of a recent Canadian court action, Bryan Griffin said he once even had to "immobilize" his arm after it had - of its own volition - tried to down the plane he was flying.
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"immobilize" the panels so that no power is produced.
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Undo the habits in any way: mess with them; short-circuit, distract, immobilize their predictability; mobilize their strength; and utilize their potential for change.
The Bushman Way of Tracking God PhD Bradford Keeney 2010
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A wood, a rise of 10 feet, or a 10-yard-wide creek pass without notice, but these simple topographical features were often enough to hide or immobilize an army.
Refighting the Battle of Gettysburg Thomas Donnelly 2011
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Now, before I get into the dynamics of laziness and happiness, let me be crystal clear about one thing: sometimes clinical conditions, such as severe depression, actually do immobilize people.
The Law of Happiness Dr. Henry Cloud 2011
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The noodler brings the fish to his or her chest, elbows facing straight out of the body for strength, and wraps his or her legs around the fish's tail to immobilize it.
Long Arm of the Law Penalizes Texans Who Nab Catfish by Hand Ana Campoy 2011
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And stay away from silver -- it burns vampire skin and can immobilize you.
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"You can't let that sad fact immobilize pension policy forever," he said.
Crisis Forces Look at Pension Reforms Matthew Dalton 2011
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Stop using the crib immediately and contact the manufacturer, Jardine, at (800) 295-1980 or on their website for a free repair kit that will immobilize the drop side rail.
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Stop using the crib immediately and contact the manufacturer, Jardine, at (800) 295-1980 or on their website for a free repair kit that will immobilize the drop side rail.
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