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Webster's Dictionary (1865)

2 entries under this word

Maim

Māim, v. t.

verbtransitive

[imp. & p. p. MAIMED; p. pr. & vb. n. MAIMING.] [O. Fr. mahaigner, mahenier, méhaigner, Pr. maganhar, It. magagnare, L. Lat. mahamiare, mahemiare, mahennare, probably of Celtic origin. Cf. Armor. machaĕña, to mutilate, mācha, to crowd, press.]

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

Sense 2. To deprive of a necessary part; to cripple; to disable.

You maimed the jurisdiction of all bishops. Shak.

Synonyms—To mutilate; mangle; cripple.

Māim, n.

noun

n. [Written in law language maïhem, and mayhem.] [O. Fr. mehaing, It. magagna, L. Lat. mahainium, mahemium, mahainium. See supra.]

Sense 1. The privation of the use of a limb or member of the body, by which one is rendered less able to defend himself or to annoy his adversary.

Sense 2. The privation of any necessary part; a crippling; mutilation; injury; deprivation of something essential.

Surely there is more cause to fear lest the want thereof be a maim than the use of it a blemish. Hooker.

A noble author esteems it to be a maim in history. Hayward.