v.
Pronunciation: ' m ā m
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English maymen, mahaymen, from Anglo-French maheimer, mahaigner ― more at MAYHEM
Date: 14th century
1 : to commit the felony of mayhem upon
2 : to mutilate, disfigure, or wound seriously
– maim · er noun
synonyms MAIM , CRIPPLE , MUTILATE , BATTER , MANGLE mean to injure so severely as to cause lasting damage. MAIM implies the loss or injury of a bodily member through violence < maimed by a shark>. CRIPPLE implies the loss or serious impairment of an arm or leg < crippled for life in an accident>. MUTILATE implies the cutting off or removal of an essential part of a person or thing thereby impairing its completeness, beauty, or function <a tree mutilated by inept pruning>. BATTER implies a series of blows that bruise deeply, deform, or mutilate <an old ship battered by fierce storms>. MANGLE implies a tearing or crushing that leaves deep wounds <a soldier's leg mangled by shrapnel>.