I. imˈpa(a)](ə)r, -pe], ]ə verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English empeiren, empairen, impairen, from Middle French empeirer, emperer, empirer, from Old French empeirier, empirier, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin impejorare, from Latin in- in- (II) + Late Latin pejorare to make worse — more at pejorative
transitive verb
: to make worse : diminish in quantity, value, excellence, or strength : do harm to : damage , lessen
the output of produce was impaired by the cold weather
impair their health by wild living
had to teach so many pupils it impaired his own musical career
his pleasure was impaired by worry about money
intransitive verb
obsolete : deteriorate
Synonyms: see injure
II. noun
( -s )
archaic : impairment , injury
III. ˈimˌpa(a)](ə)r, -pə], ]ə noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, from impair odd, from Latin impar — more at impar
: the odd numbers in roulette when a bet is made on them
made a large bet on impair