impair
1[ im-pair ]
verb (used with object)
to make or cause to become worse; diminish in ability, value, excellence, etc.; weaken or damage: to impair one's health;to impair negotiations.
verb (used without object)
to grow or become worse; lessen.
noun
Archaic. impairment.
Origin of impair
1First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English empairen, empeiren “to make worse,” from Middle French empeirer, from em- im-1 + peirer “to make worse” (from Late Latin pējōrāre, verb derivative of Latin pējor “worse”; cf. pejoration)
synonym study For impair
1. See injure.
Opposites for impair
Other words from impair
- im·pair·a·ble, adjective
- im·pair·er, noun
- im·pair·ment, noun
- non·im·pair·ment, noun
- pre·im·pair·ment, noun
- self-im·pair·a·ble, adjective
- self-im·pair·ing, adjective
- un·im·pair·a·ble, adjective
Other definitions for impair (2 of 2)
impair2
[ an-per ]
Origin of impair
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for impair
impair
/ (ɪmˈpɛə) /
verb
(tr) to reduce or weaken in strength, quality, etc: his hearing was impaired by an accident
Origin of impair
1C14: from Old French empeirer to make worse, from Late Latin pējorāre, from Latin pejor worse; see pejorative
Derived forms of impair
- impairable, adjective
- impairer, noun
- impairment, 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
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