Maim \Maim\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Maimed;p. pr. & vb. n. Maiming.]

[OE. maimen, OF. mahaignier, mehaignier, meshaignier, cf. It. magagnare, LL. mahemiare, mahennare; perh. of Celtic origin; cf. Armor. mac'ha?a to mutilate, m[=a]c'ha to crowd, press; or cf. OHG. mang?n to lack, perh. akin to E. mangle to lacerate. Cf. Mayhem.]

1. To deprive of the use of a limb, so as to render a person on fighting less able either to defend himself or to annoy his adversary.

By the ancient law of England he that maimed any man whereby he lost any part of his body, was sentenced to lose the like part. --Blackstone.

2. To mutilate; to cripple; to injure; to disable; to impair.

My late maimed limbs lack wonted might. --Spenser.

You maimed the jurisdiction of all bishops. --Shak.

Syn: To mutilate; mangle; cripple.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)