Incapacitation: meaning, definitions and examples
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incapacitation
[ɪnkəˌpæsɪˈteɪʃən ]
Definitions
criminal justice system
The act of depriving a person of their ability to engage in certain activities, typically through imprisonment or institutionalization. Incapacitation is often used as a form of punishment or protection of society from dangerous individuals.
Synonyms
confinement, disablement, immobilization.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| incapacitation |
Used in legal or medical contexts where someone is made unable to perform their duties or activities due to a condition or injury.
|
| immobilization |
Used mainly in medical contexts where movement is restricted to aid in healing, or in tactical situations to prevent movement.
|
| disablement |
Typically used in medical or legal contexts to denote a condition where a person is rendered unable or limited in their abilities, often with a focus on long-term or permanent effects.
|
| confinement |
Refers to being kept in a restricted space, often used in contexts like imprisonment or quarantine.
|
Examples of usage
- Incapacitation of violent offenders is one of the main goals of the criminal justice system.
- Prisons are designed to ensure the incapacitation of criminals for the safety of the community.
psychology
A state of being incapacitated or unable to function normally due to physical or mental conditions. Incapacitation in psychology may refer to temporary or permanent loss of cognitive or physical abilities.
Synonyms
disability, impairment, inability.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| incapacitation |
Generally used in legal and medical contexts to describe a state where someone is unable to carry out their usual activities due to a specific condition or situation, often temporarily. It can have a slightly formal or technical tone.
|
| disability |
Commonly used in social and medical settings to describe a long-term or permanent condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities. It is important not to use it in a way that conveys pity or negativity.
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| impairment |
Typically used in medical and technical context to describe a loss of function or ability. It can refer to physical, mental, or sensory conditions and doesn't necessarily imply a complete inability.
|
| inability |
Used in general contexts to describe a lack of ability or capacity to do something. It can be temporary or permanent and is often used in a neutral or explanatory way.
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Examples of usage
- The patient's incapacitation following the accident required long-term care.
- Severe depression can lead to a state of emotional incapacitation.
Interesting Facts
Legal Definitions
- In law, incapacitation refers to a legal state where a person is unable to make decisions for themselves, often due to mental incapacity.
- Judges can declare someone incapacitated, allowing others to make decisions in their best interest.
- Incapacitation can be a reason for guardianship, where a guardian is appointed to look after the person's well-being.
Psychology
- In psychological terms, incapacitation can relate to mental health disorders that prevent a person from functioning normally.
- States of severe anxiety or depression can lead to temporary incapacitation, impacting daily activities and decisions.
- Cognitive impairments from aging or conditions like dementia are common examples of incapacitation in elderly populations.
Medicine
- Injuries, such as fractures or surgeries, often lead to temporary incapacitation during recovery periods.
- Certain medications can also cause incapacitation, resulting in drowsiness or confusion.
- Medical professionals assess a person's capacity to consent to treatments, which can be affected by incapacitating conditions.
Social Context
- In societal settings, incapacitation might affect a person’s ability to work, impacting income and leading to social dependency.
- Programs are often put in place to support those facing incapacitation, offering rehabilitation and assistance.
- Society aims to create inclusive environments to help individuals with varying levels of capability engage fully in community activities.
Pop Culture
- Films and books often explore themes of incapacitation, using it to generate tension or explore character vulnerabilities.
- Characters in action movies are frequently incapacitated through injury or capture, leading to dramatic rescue narratives.
- In video games, incapacitation may be a game mechanic where a character can be temporarily sidelined by an opponent.
Translations
Translations of the word "incapacitation" in other languages:
🇵🇹 incapacitação
🇮🇳 अशक्तता
🇩🇪 Unfähigkeit
🇮🇩 ketidakmampuan
🇺🇦 недієздатність
🇵🇱 niezdolność
🇯🇵 無能力
🇫🇷 incapacité
🇪🇸 incapacidad
🇹🇷 yetersizlik
🇰🇷 무능력
🇸🇦 عدم القدرة
🇨🇿 neschopnost
🇸🇰 neschopnosť
🇨🇳 无能力
🇸🇮 nezmožnost
🇮🇸 vanhæfni
🇰🇿 қабілетсіздік
🇬🇪 უუნაროობა
🇦🇿 qabiliyyətsizlik
🇲🇽 incapacidad