I. crip ‧ ple 1 /ˈkrɪp ə l/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: crypel ]
1 . old-fashioned someone who is unable to walk properly because their legs are damaged or injured – now considered offensive ⇨ disabled
2 . emotional cripple informal someone who cannot express their feelings to other people – used to show disapproval
II. cripple 2 BrE AmE verb [transitive]
1 . old-fashioned to hurt someone badly so that they cannot walk properly SYN disable :
She was crippled in a car accident.
2 . to damage something badly so that it no longer works or is no longer effective:
Industry is being crippled by high interest rates.
—crippled adjective :
landing the crippled plane