immobilize

[ ih-moh-buh-lahyz ]
See synonyms for immobilize on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),im·mo·bi·lized, im·mo·bi·liz·ing.
  1. to make immobile or immovable; fix in place.

  2. to prevent the use, activity, or movement of: The hurricane immobilized the airlines.

  1. to deprive of the capacity for mobilization: The troops were immobilized by the enemy.

  2. Medicine/Medical. to prevent, restrict, or reduce normal movement in (the body, a limb, or a joint), as by a splint, cast, or prescribed bed rest.

  3. to render (an opponent's strategy) ineffective; stymie.

  4. Finance.

    • to establish a monetary reserve by withdrawing (specie) from circulation.

    • to create fixed capital in place of (circulating capital).

Origin of immobilize

1
1870–75; immobile + -ize; see mobilize and compare French immobiliser
  • Also especially British, im·mo·bi·lise .

Other words from immobilize

  • im·mo·bi·li·za·tion, noun
  • im·mo·bi·liz·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for immobilize

immobilize

immobilise

/ (ɪˈməʊbɪˌlaɪz) /


verb(tr)
  1. to make or become immobile: to immobilize a car

  2. finance

    • to remove (specie) from circulation and hold it as a reserve

    • to convert (circulating capital) into fixed capital

Derived forms of immobilize

  • immobilization or immobilisation, noun
  • immobilizer or immobiliser, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012