Lames

Part of speech: verb, noun

Definitions

1. To make less effective or weak; to cause injury resulting in difficulty walking; to impair strength or performance
2. To weaken or hobble by causing physical harm; to render unable to function properly; to reduce effectiveness due to damage or injury
3. To inflict harm that leads to impaired mobility; to diminish capability or efficiency; to cause someone or something to become physically or functionally disabled

Etymology: "Lames" is a form of "lame," which English borrowed from French "lame," meaning "a thin plate," itself from Latin "lāmina," with the same sense. The plural "lames" keeps that original idea of thin metal strips, while the verb sense of disabling someone or something is a later development.

Synonyms: cripples, laments, wimps, weaklings, cowards

Antonyms: strengthens, fortifies, empowers, invigorates, enables