Crippled Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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crippled
[ˈkrɪp.əld ]
Definitions
physical condition
Crippled refers to someone or something that is severely damaged, weakened, or functionally impaired. This term is often used to describe individuals who have lost the use of a limb or have a significant mobility impairment.
Synonyms
disabled, handicapped, impaired, injured.
Examples of usage
- The accident left him crippled for life.
- She felt crippled by her anxiety during public speaking.
- The economy was crippled by the recent crisis.
inflict damage
To cripple means to severely damage or disable something, making it non-functional or limiting its movement. This can apply to both physical entities, such as machinery, and metaphorical situations, such as economies or organizations.
Synonyms
disable, hamper, hinder, impair.
Examples of usage
- The virus crippled the entire network.
- His career was crippled by bad choices.
- The sanctions crippled the country's economy.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Cultural Representation
- Throughout history, representations of disability in literature and film often highlight the triumphs and challenges faced, contributing to societal perceptions.
- Films like 'The Intouchables' portray relationships that challenge stereotypes about disabilities and encourage empathy.
Psychology
- Studies show that individuals with disabilities often face stigma, affecting their mental health and self-esteem.
- The term can be stigmatizing; many advocates suggest using 'person with a disability' to focus on the individual rather than the impairment.
Legal and Social Movements
- The disability rights movement has worked to change perceptions and improve accessibility for those who face physical challenges.
- Laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) have transformed public spaces, promoting inclusion and equal rights.
Health and Medicine
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation techniques play a crucial role in assisting those who are 'crippled' to regain mobility.
- Advancements in assistive technology, like prosthetics and wheelchairs, have drastically changed the quality of life for many individuals.
Origin of 'crippled'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Old English 'cryppel', meaning 'to creep or crawl', reflecting the way some people may move.
- Historically, it evolved in Middle English as 'cripplen', originally used in the context of physical disabilities.
The word 'crippled' dates back to the Old English term 'cripa', which meant 'to creep' or 'to crawl'. This reflects the notion of limited movement, as those who were crippled often had to rely on crawling or other means to move. The term evolved in Middle English to 'cripplen', which signified a person who is unable to walk normally due to physical impairment. Over the centuries, the term has been used both in its literal sense to refer to individuals with physical disabilities and in a figurative sense to describe things that are severely weakened or hampered in function. In modern usage, the term can be sensitive and is often used with caution as language evolves towards more respectful references to disabilities.