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immobilize

 - 5 dictionary results

im⋅mo⋅bi⋅lize

[i-moh-buh-lahyz]
–verb (used with object), -lized, -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.
3. to deprive of the capacity for mobilization: The troops were immobilized by the enemy.
4. 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.
5. to render (an opponent's strategy) ineffective; stymie.
6. Finance.
a. to establish a monetary reserve by withdrawing (specie) from circulation.
b. to create fixed capital in place of (circulating capital).
Also, especially British, im⋅mo⋅bi⋅lise.


Origin:
1870–75; immobile + -ize; see mobilize and cf. F immobiliser


im⋅mo⋅bi⋅li⋅za⋅tion, noun
im⋅mo⋅bi⋅liz⋅er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To immobilize
im·mo·bi·lize   (ĭ-mō'bə-līz')   
tr.v.   im·mo·bi·lized, im·mo·bi·liz·ing, im·mo·bi·liz·es
  1. To render immobile.

  2. To fix the position of (a joint or fractured limb), as with a splint or cast.

  3. To impede movement or use of: Severe weather immobilized the rescue team.

  4. Economics

    1. To withdraw (specie) from circulation and reserve as security for other money.

    2. To convert (floating capital) into fixed capital.

im·mo'bi·li·za'tion (-lĭ-zā'shən) n., im·mo'bi·liz'er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: im·mo·bi·lize
Pronunciation: i-'mO-b&-"lIz
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: -lized; -liz·ing
: to make immobile; specifically : to turn (movable property) into immovable property (as by incorporating it into a building) —im·mo·bi·li·za·tion /i-"mO-b&-l&-'zA-sh&n/ noun
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: im·mo·bi·lize
Variant: also British im·mo·bi·lise /im-'O-b&-"lIz/
Function: transitiveverb
Inflected Forms: -ized also British -ised; -iz·ing also British -is·ing
: to make immobile; especially : to fix (as a body part) so as to reduce or eliminate motion usually by means of a cast or splint, by strapping, or by strict bed rest <immobilizing a fractured bone by a cast andcontinuous traction> <immobilize an injury> immobilized for three months>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

immobilize im·mo·bi·lize (ĭ-mō'bə-līz')
v. im·mo·bi·lized, im·mo·bi·liz·ing, im·mo·bi·liz·es

  1. To render immobile.

  2. To fix the position of a joint or fractured limb, as with a splint or cast.


im·mo'bi·li·za'tion (-lĭ-zā'shən) n.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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