immobilize

[ ih-moh-buh-lahyz ]

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.

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.
   1. to establish a monetary reserve by withdrawing (specie) from circulation.
   2. to create fixed capital in place of (circulating capital).

immobilize

/ ɪˈməʊbɪˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to make or become immobile

   to immobilize a car

2. finance
   1. to remove (specie) from circulation and hold it as a reserve
   2. to convert (circulating capital) into fixed capital

Derived Forms

• imˈmobiˌlizer, noun
• imˌmobiliˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• im·mobi·li·zation noun
• im·mobi·lizer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of immobilize¹

1870–75; immobile + -ize; mobilize and compare French immobiliser

Example Sentences

The medic measured 400 milligrams after estimating the 6-foot-tall Jackson weighed 175 pounds, enough to immobilize someone within minutes.

From Seattle Times

Others suggested they helped predators immobilize larger prey, assisted the brooding of eggs or were a display to mates and rivals.

From New York Times

Snake venom is a complex cocktail of toxins, amino acids and proteins that evolved primarily to immobilize and kill prey, but it also prepares tissues for digestion.

From Los Angeles Times

"H1-Fr cages have the potential to immobilize external molecules inside them for molecular delivery," remarks Prof. Ueno, "Our results indicate that the H1-Fr/PhC core-shell structures, displaying H1-Fr cages on the outer surface of the PhC core, can be individually controlled at the nanoscale level. By accumulating different functional molecules in the PhC core and H1-Fr cage, hierarchical nanoscale-controlled crystals can be constructed for advanced biotechnological applications."

From Science Daily

Bills to roll back state and federal electric vehicle mandates have been making their way through Congress, as Republican lawmakers attempt to immobilize Democrats’ green energy agenda.

From Washington Times

Related Words

• cripple
• debilitate
• disable
• disarm
• impair
• incapacitate
• mangle
• mutilate
• paralyze
• shatter