adjective
- physically or mentally impaired, injured, or incapacitated.
noun
- (used with a plural verb) physically or mentally impaired persons (usually preceded by the): Ramps have been installed at the entrances to accommodate the disabled.
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.
adjective
-
- lacking one or more physical powers, such as the ability to walk or to coordinate one’s movements, as from the effects of a disease or accident, or through mental impairment
- (as collective noun; preceded by the)the disabled
verb (tr)
- to make ineffective, unfit, or incapable, as by crippling
- to make or pronounce legally incapable
- to switch off (an electronic device)
“incapacitated,” 1630s, past participle adjective from disable. Earlier it meant “legally disqualified” (mid-15c.).
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).
adj.
- Impaired, as in physical functioning.
n.
- Physically impaired people considered as a group. Often used with the.