adj.
Pronunciation: ' l ā m
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: lam · er ; lam · est
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English lama; akin to Old High German lam lame, Lithuanian limti to break down
Date: before 12th century
1 a : having a body part and especially a limb so disabled as to impair freedom of movement b : marked by stiffness and soreness <a lame shoulder>
2 : lacking needful or desirable substance : WEAK , INEFFECTUAL <a lame excuse>
3 slang : not being in the know : SQUARE
4 a : INFERIOR <a lame school> b : CONTEMPTIBLE , NASTY < lame racist jokes>
– lame · ly adverb
– lame · ness noun