Cripple

(krĭp'l), n. [L. Ger. kröpel, krupel, D. kreupel, kreupele, M. H. Ger. kruppel, N. H. Ger. krüppel, Dan. kröppel, kröbling, properly one that can not walk, but must creep, from O. Sax. creiopan, A-S. creopan, L. Ger. krupen, D. kruipen, Dan. krybe, imp. krōb, to creep. Cf. A-S. crēpel, crawfish, properly a creeper, O. Eng. creeple, creple, crepil, one who creeps, a cripple. “The creple, healed, knows how to heal the lame.” Turberville. “A kingdom that crawls on its knees like a creeple.” Rump Songs.] One who creeps, halts, or limps; one who has lost, or never enjoyed, the use of his limbs; hence, one disabled in the use of any natural function.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. CRIPPLED; p. pr. & vb. n. CRIPPLING.] 1. To deprive of the use of the limbs, particularly of the legs and feet; to lame. He [Charles V.] commanded in person and in chief, even when surrounded with veterans and crippled by the gout. Motley. 2. To deprive of strength, activity, or capability for service or use. More serious embarrassments of a different description were crippling the energy of the settlement in the Bay. Palfrey.