Immobilized Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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immobilized
[ɪˈmoʊbəˌlaɪz ]
Definitions
unable to move
To make someone or something unable to move or act, especially by using physical force. This can be due to injury, illness, or external factors.
Synonyms
disable, incapacitate, paralyze.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| immobilized |
See the first "immobilized" entry for context and examples. |
| disable |
This word is suitable for describing something that has lost its ability to function normally, often due to damage or interference. Can also refer to rendering someone incapable of performing a task or action.
|
| paralyze |
This word is most appropriate when someone or something is rendered completely unable to move or act. Often used in a medical or figurative sense, and can have a negative connotation.
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| incapacitate |
Best used when someone or something is made unable to perform their normal activities, especially due to injury or illness. Often implies a complete inability to function.
|
Examples of usage
- He was immobilized by fear and couldn't move.
- The car accident left him immobilized for weeks.
- The police immobilized the suspect with handcuffs.
economics
To prevent something, such as assets or capital, from being sold or transferred.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| immobilized |
Used to describe something or someone that has been made unable to move or operate, often in a medical, mechanical, or strategic context.
|
| freeze |
Commonly used to describe stopping motion or activity, either by sudden cold or metaphorically. This can refer to people, objects, or operations. Often used in imperative forms like commands.
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Examples of usage
- The government decided to immobilize all foreign assets.
- The company had to immobilize its funds during the financial crisis.
medical
A device used to immobilize a body part, such as a splint or cast.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| immobilized |
Used similarly to 'immobilized,' generally referring to preventing movement specifically for medical reasons or due to a mechanical failure.
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| brace |
Refers to a device that supports part of the body and is often used to assist movement or maintain correct alignment.
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| support |
Used in a more general sense to refer to any means of providing assistance, stability, or reinforcement.
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| stabilizer |
Used to describe devices or substances that are designed to maintain stability and prevent unwanted movement or change, often in mechanical or chemical contexts.
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Examples of usage
- The doctor applied an immobilizer to his broken leg.
- She wore an arm immobilizer after the accident.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Medical Context
- In medicine, 'immobilized' often refers to patients whose limbs are restrained to promote healing after an injury.
- Immobilization can also be used in emergency situations to prevent further injury during transport.
- Sometimes, patients may be immobilized in a temporary manner using splints or casts.
Psychology
- Psychological immobilization can refer to a person's inability to make decisions or take action due to overwhelming fear.
- In stressful situations, individuals might experience 'analysis paralysis', making them feel frozen and unable to act.
- Therapists may work on techniques to help patients overcome feelings of immobilization in decision-making.
Pop Culture
- In movies, characters are often immobilized by magic spells or traps, creating tension in the storyline.
- Video games frequently feature freezing spells or immobilizing traps as strategies to defeat opponents.
- The concept can also be found in animated media where characters experience immobilization due to various comedic situations.
Physics
- In physics, immobilization can describe an object that is fixed in place, contrasting with objects in motion.
- Fluid dynamics uses the term in relation to objects that are anchored and cannot move with the flow of a liquid.
- An immobilized system can also refer to materials in a chemical reaction that are restricted in movement due to structure.
Origin of 'immobilized'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'mobilis', meaning 'movable', with the prefix 'im-' indicating 'not'.
- It entered the English language in the early 20th century, primarily used in medical contexts.
- The term has Latin roots that connect to various modern languages, often related to movement.
The word 'immobilize' originated from the French word 'immobiliser', which is derived from the Latin word 'immobilis' meaning 'unable to move'. The term has been used in various contexts, from medical devices to economic restrictions, highlighting the concept of preventing movement or action.
See also: immobile.