impairment
UK: ɪmˈpeəmənt | US: ɪmˈpermənt
n. the state or fact of being impaired, especially in a specified way
n. (law) a condition or defect that prevents the use of something (e.g., a legal document)
n. (medicine) a loss of function or ability due to injury or illness
impairment = impair<to weaken> + ment<noun suffix>
- impair: From Old French empirer ("to make worse"), derived from Latin impeiorare ("to make worse"), combining in- (intensifier) + peior ("worse").
- ment: A suffix forming nouns indicating an action, process, or result (e.g., development, achievement), from Latin -mentum.
Etymology Origin:
The word traces back to Latin peior ("worse"), evolving through Old French empirer with the prefix im- (intensifying "worsening"). The suffix -ment was later added in English to nominalize the verb impair, creating a term for the state of being weakened or damaged. The logic reflects a progression from physical/legal deterioration to broader functional loss.
Hearing impairment can significantly affect communication.
The accident caused permanent impairment of his motor skills.
The contract was void due to a legal impairment.
Early intervention may prevent further cognitive impairment.
The doctor assessed the patient’s visual impairment.