verb (used with object), dis·a·bled, dis·a·bling.
- to make unable or unfit; weaken or destroy the capability of; incapacitate: The detective successfully disabled the bomb. He was disabled by the accident.
- to make legally incapable; disqualify.
verb (tr)
- to make ineffective, unfit, or incapable, as by crippling
- to make or pronounce legally incapable
- to switch off (an electronic device)
mid-15c., from dis- “do the opposite of” + ablen (v.) “to make fit” (see able). Related: Disabled; disabling. Earlier in the same sense was unable (v.) “make unfit, render unsuitable” (c.1400).