cripple

Universal Words verb, noun verb [VN] [usuallypassive] 1 to damage sb's body so that they are no longer able to walk or move normally: He was crippled by polio as a child. * to be crippled with arthritis 2 to seriously damage or harm sb/sth: The pilot tried to land his crippled plane. crippling adjective: a crippling disease * crippling debts noun (old-fashioned or offensive) a person who is unable to walk or move normally because of a disease or injury: (figurative) He's an emotional cripple (= he cannot express his feelings). HELPNOTE People now use disabled person instead of 'cripple'.