I. ˈkri-pəl noun
Etymology: Middle English cripel, from Old English crypel; akin to Old English crēopan to creep — more at creep
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. sometimes offensive : a lame or partly disabled person or animal
b. : one that is disabled or deficient in a specified manner
a social cripple
2. : something flawed or imperfect
II. adjective
Date: 13th century
: being lame, flawed, or imperfect
III. transitive verb
( crip·pled ; crip·pling -p(ə-)liŋ)
Date: 14th century
1. : to deprive of the use of a limb and especially a leg
the accident left him crippled
2. : to deprive of capability for service or of strength, efficiency, or wholeness
an economy crippled by inflation
Synonyms: see maim , weaken
• crip·pler -p(ə-)lər noun
• crip·pling·ly -p(ə-)liŋ-lē adverb