Library / English Dictionary

IMPAIRMENT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

The act of making something futile and useless (as by routine)

Synonyms:

constipation; deadening; impairment; stultification

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("impairment" is a kind of...):

debasement; degradation (changing to a lower state (a less respected state))

Sense 2

Meaning:

Damage that results in a reduction of strength or quality

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Hypernyms ("impairment" is a kind of...):

damage; harm; hurt; scathe (the act of damaging something or someone)

Derivation:

impair (make imperfect)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The occurrence of a change for the worse

Synonyms:

damage; harm; impairment

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Hypernyms ("impairment" is a kind of...):

alteration; change; modification (an event that occurs when something passes from one state or phase to another)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "impairment"):

detriment; hurt (a damage or loss)

deformation; distortion (a change for the worse)

ladder; ravel; run (a row of unravelled stitches)

Derivation:

impair (make worse or less effective)

Sense 4

Meaning:

The condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness

Example:

hearing impairment

Synonyms:

disability; disablement; handicap; impairment

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("impairment" is a kind of...):

softness; unfitness (poor physical condition; being out of shape or out of condition (as from a life of ease and luxury))

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "impairment"):

disintegration (a loss (or serious disruption) of organization in some system)

bandy legs; bow leg; bow legs (outward curvature of the legs)

pigeon toes (disability in which the toes are turned inward; often associated with knock-knee)

genu valgum; knock-knee; tibia valga (an inward slant of the thigh)

hypesthesia; hypoesthesia (impairment of tactile sensitivity; decrease of sensitivity)

descensus; prolapse; prolapsus (the slipping or falling out of place of an organ (as the uterus))

vision defect; visual defect; visual disorder; visual impairment (impairment of the sense of sight)

dysomia (impairment of the sense of smell)

hearing disorder; hearing impairment (impairment of the sense of hearing)

amputation (a condition of disability resulting from the loss of one or more limbs)

astasia (inability to stand due to muscular incoordination)

disability of walking (a disability that interferes with or prevents walking)

dysphasia (an impairment of language (especially speech production) that is usually due to brain damage)

anorgasmia (absence of an orgasm in sexual relations)

bandy leg; bandyleg; bow leg; bowleg; genu varum; tibia vara (a leg bowed outward at the knee (or below the knee))

Sense 5

Meaning:

A symptom of reduced quality or strength

Synonyms:

deterioration; impairment

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Hypernyms ("impairment" is a kind of...):

decay (an inferior state resulting from the process of decaying)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "impairment"):

corrosion (a state of deterioration in metals caused by oxidation or chemical action)

desolation; devastation (the state of being decayed or destroyed)

decrepitude; dilapidation (a state of deterioration due to old age or long use)

wear (impairment resulting from long use)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Lack of coordination of muscle movements resulting in the impairment or inability to perform voluntary activities.

(Ataxia, NCI Thesaurus)

Impairment of sensation in the distribution of the median nerve and thenar muscle atrophy may occur.

(Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

A disorder characterized by impairment of the auditory processing, resulting in deficiencies in the recognition and interpretation of sounds by the brain.

(Central Auditory Processing Disorder, NCI Thesaurus)

Such inflammation can lead to functional impairment and infertility.

(Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

Mutations or altered expression of these proteins contributes to PD pathogenesis through common mechanisms that result in proteasome dysfunction, mitochondrial impairment, and oxidative stress.

(Parkinson's Disease Pathway KEGG, NCI Thesaurus/KEGG)

An indication or description of a continuing and significant impairment.

(Persistent or Significant Disability or Incapacity, NCI Thesaurus)

The impairments are incongruent with the individual's developmental level or mental age.

(Pervasive Developmental Disorder, NCI Thesaurus)

A medical specialty focused on restoring functional ability and quality of life to people with physical impairments or disabilities.

(Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, NCI Thesaurus)

A mental disorder caused by intrinsic disease which is characterized by acute or chronic impairment of intellectual functioning, behavior, mood or judgment.

(Organic Brain Syndrome, NCI Thesaurus)

Clinical features may include facial pain and impairments of taste or smell.

(Olfactory Nerve Neoplasm, NCI Thesaurus)