maim
Cause permanent damage
To maim is to inflict severe physical injury that results in permanent damage or loss of function—typically the loss of a limb or sense: The explosion maimed three soldiers.
Unlike wound or injure, maim implies lasting disfigurement or disability.
The word appears in legal contexts distinguishing degrees of bodily harm.
Inflict severe bodily harm
- woundCoiled, or an injury
- lacerateTear tissue roughly
- fractureSplit in hard material
- gashDeep, ragged incision
tear · puncture · slash · sprain · abrasion · contusion · traumatize · hurt
Permanent mark from healing
- disfigureDamage appearance permanently
- deformAlter shape permanently
- mangleSeverely damage or distort
- mutilateInflict severe bodily harm
blemish · mar · disfigurement · misshape · contort · uglify · deface · blight
One without a limb
- paralysisLoss of muscle function
- wheelchairSeated conveyance for mobility-impaired
- prosthesisManufactured replacement body part
- paraplegicLower-limb paralysis sufferer
quadriplegic · handicap · mobility · crutches · rehabilitation · assistive device · impairment · permanent injury
Violent offensive act
- attackAggressive act against another
- batteryPortable electricity storage
- brutalitySavage, merciless behavior
- savageryExtreme, violent cruelty
cruelty · atrocity · viciousness · aggression · combat · warfare · torture · abuse
Consciously chosen, not accidental
- maliciousMeaning to do harm
- grievous bodily harmSerious intentional physical injury
- feloniousRelating to major crimes
- criminalPerson who breaks laws
premeditated · vicious · sadistic · vengeful · retaliatory · punitive · torture · war crime
mutilate
Inflict severe bodily harm
gash · tear · puncture · slash · sprain · abrasion · contusion · traumatize · hurt · damage
scar
Permanent mark from healing
mutilate · blemish · mar · disfigurement · misshape · contort · uglify · deface · blight · amputate
amputee
One without a limb
- paralysisLoss of muscle function
- wheelchairSeated conveyance for mobility-impaired
- prosthesisManufactured replacement body part
paraplegic · quadriplegic · handicap · mobility · crutches · rehabilitation · assistive device · impairment · permanent injury · disable
assault
Violent offensive act
- attackAggressive act against another
- batteryPortable electricity storage
- brutalitySavage, merciless behavior
savagery · cruelty · atrocity · viciousness · aggression · combat · warfare · torture · abuse · beating
deliberate
Consciously chosen, not accidental
- maliciousMeaning to do harm
- grievous bodily harmSerious intentional physical injury
- feloniousRelating to major crimes
criminal · premeditated · vicious · sadistic · vengeful · retaliatory · punitive · torture · war crime · brutalize