IMPAIR

impair

(verb) make worse or less effective; “His vision was impaired”

mar, impair, spoil, deflower, vitiate

(verb) make imperfect; “nothing marred her beauty”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Verb

impair (third-person singular simple present impairs, present participle impairing, simple past and past participle impaired)

(transitive) To weaken; to affect negatively; to have a diminishing effect on.

(intransitive, archaic) To grow worse; to deteriorate.

Synonyms

• blunt, diminish, hurt, lessen, mar, reduce, weaken, worsen

Adjective

impair (comparative more impair, superlative most impair)

(obsolete) Not fit or appropriate; unsuitable.

Source: Wiktionary

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Im*pair", v. t. [imp & p. p. Impaired; p. pr. & vb. n. Impairing.] [Written also empair.] Etym: [OE. empeiren, enpeiren, OF. empeirier, empirier, F. empirer, LL. impejorare; L. pref. im- in + pejorare to make worse, fr. pejor worse. Cf. Appair.]

Definition: To make worse; to diminish in quantity, value, excellence, or strength; to deteriorate; as, to impair health, character, the mind, value. Time sensibly all things impairs. Roscommon. In years he seemed, but not impaired by years. Pope.

Syn.

– To diminish; decrease; injure; weaken; enfeeble; debilitate; reduce; debase; deteriorate.

Im*pair", v. t.

Definition: To grow worse; to deteriorate. Milton.

Im"pair, a. Etym: [F. impair uneven, L. impar; im- not + par equal.]

Definition: Not fit or appropriate. [Obs.]

Im*pair", n.

Definition: Diminution; injury. [Obs.]

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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