immobilize Definitions

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

v
1: hold as reserve or withdraw from circulation; of capital [syn: immobilize, immobilise]
2: to hold fast or prevent from moving; "The child was pinned under the fallen tree" [syn: trap, pin, immobilize, immobilise]
3: make defenseless [syn: immobilize, immobilise]
4: convert (assets) into fixed capital [syn: immobilize, immobilise]
5: prohibit the conversion or use of (assets); "Blocked funds"; "Freeze the assets of this hostile government" [syn: freeze, block, immobilize, immobilise] [ant: free, release, unblock, unfreeze]
6: cause to be unable to move; "The sudden storm immobilized the traffic" [syn: immobilize, immobilise]

Merriam Webster's

transitive verb Date: 1871 to make immobile: as a. to prevent freedom of movement or effective use of <the planes were immobilized by bad weather> b. to reduce or eliminate motion of (the body or a part) by mechanical means or by strict bed rest c. to withhold (money or capital) from circulation • immobilization noun • immobilizer noun

English Explanatory Dictionary

??m?d?r?t adj. excessive; lacking moderation. øøimmoderatelyadv. immoderateness n. immoderation n. [ME f. L immoderatus (as IN-(1),MODERATE)]

Oxford Reference Dictionary

v.tr. (also -ise) 1 make or keep immobile. 2 make (a vehicle or troops) incapable of being moved. 3 keep (a limb or patient) restricted in movement for healing purposes. 4 restrict the free movement of. 5 withdraw (coins) from circulation to support banknotes. Derivatives: immobilization n. immobilizer n. Etymology: F immobiliser (as IMMOBILE)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Immobilize Im*mob"i*lize, v. t. [Pref. im- in + mobilize; cf. f. immobiliser.] To make immovable; in surgery, to make immovable (a naturally mobile part, as a joint) by the use of splints, or stiffened bandages.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(immobilizes, immobilizing, immobilized) Note: in BRIT, also use 'immobilise' To immobilize something or someone means to stop them from moving or operating. ...a car alarm system that immobilises the engine... VERB: V n

Moby Thesaurus

balance, ballast, counterbalance, cripple, disable, disarm, firm, firm up, freeze, hold, incapacitate, keep, nail down, pin down, prostrate, retain, stabilitate, stabilize, steady, stick, transfix