Immobility: meaning, definitions and examples

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immobility

 

[ ɪˌmoʊˈbɪləti ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

inability to move

Immobility refers to the state of being unable to move or the quality of not moving. It is often associated with physical disabilities, injuries, or medical conditions that limit a person's ability to move freely.

Synonyms

motionlessness, rigidity, stagnation.

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Word Description / Examples
immobility

Used when referring to the state of not being able to move, often due to physical or medical conditions.

  • After the accident, he suffered from immobility and needed physical therapy
motionlessness

Used in situations where there is a complete lack of movement; often emphasizes the stillness of an object or person.

  • The cat sat in perfect motionlessness, watching the mouse
rigidity

This term is used when describing the inflexibility or stiffness, either literally in physical terms or metaphorically in attitudes or structures.

  • The rigidity of the new rules made them hard to follow
  • / The patient's limbs exhibited rigidity
stagnation

Often used to describe a lack of growth, development, or progress, and can have a negative connotation.

  • Economic stagnation can lead to rising unemployment
  • / His career was in a state of stagnation

Examples of usage

  • The patient's immobility after the accident required extensive physical therapy.
  • Old age can sometimes bring about a sense of immobility in the joints.
  • She was struck with a sudden sense of immobility as fear gripped her heart.

Translations

Translations of the word "immobility" in other languages:

🇵🇹 imobilidade

🇮🇳 अचलता

🇩🇪 Unbeweglichkeit

🇮🇩 ketidakmampuan bergerak

🇺🇦 нерухомість

🇵🇱 nieruchomość

🇯🇵 不動

🇫🇷 immobilité

🇪🇸 inmovilidad

🇹🇷 hareketsizlik

🇰🇷 부동

🇸🇦 عدم الحركة

🇨🇿 nepohyblivost

🇸🇰 nepohyblivosť

🇨🇳 不动

🇸🇮 nepremičnost

🇮🇸 óhreyfing

🇰🇿 қозғалыссыздық

🇬🇪 უძრაობა

🇦🇿 hərəkətsizlik

🇲🇽 inmovilidad

Etymology

The word 'immobility' is derived from the Latin word 'immobilis', which combines the prefix 'in-' (meaning 'not') with 'mobilis' (meaning 'movable'). The concept of immobility has been explored in various fields, including medicine, psychology, and philosophy. It is a fundamental aspect of human experience, as individuals navigate the challenges of physical limitations and the desire for freedom of movement.

See also: mob, mobster.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,638, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.