( BrE also im·mo·bil·ise ) / ɪˈməʊbəlaɪz; NAmE ɪˈmoʊ-/ verb
[ vn ] to prevent sth from moving or from working normally :
a device to immobilize the car engine in case of theft
Always immobilize a broken leg immediately.
► im·mo·bil·iza·tion , im·mo·bil·isa·tion noun [ U ]
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WORD ORIGIN
late 19th cent.: from French immobiliser , from immobile , from Latin immobilis , from in- not + mobilis , from movere to move.