Cripple
/ˈkrɪpəl/
verbnounB2
Definition
As a verb, "cripple" means to cause serious damage or harm that stops someone or something from working properly or moving easily. As a noun, it describes a person or animal who cannot move well because of a physical injury or condition. The word often talks about strong damage or loss of ability.
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See It in Action
Verb: To damage seriously and stop normal use or movement
- •The accident crippled his ability to walk.
- •The storm crippled the city’s power supply.
- •The virus crippled the computer network.
Noun: A person or animal with a physical disability that limits movement
- •He was called a cripple after the injury, but he never gave up.
- •The shelter helps crippled animals find homes.
- •Some old stories use "cripple" to describe people with disabilities.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "cripple" like "hurt" (A1 word), but much stronger—hurt means pain; cripple means damage that stops normal movement or use
- ✓Picture a broken chair with one leg missing—it can’t stand or be used well anymore, just like something crippled can’t work properly
- ✓It’s the feeling of frustration when you or someone else can’t do something simple because of damage or injury
- ✓Sounds like "cripple" → imagine a "crippled" crab that can’t walk straight because one claw is broken
- ✓In stories, characters who are crippled often have to find new ways to live or overcome their challenges
- ✓NOT like "scratch" (small damage), "cripple" means serious and lasting damage
- ✓NOT like "heal" (getting better), "cripple" means damage that makes movement or function difficult or impossible
- ✓NOT like "break" (can be temporary), "cripple" often suggests long-term or permanent damage
Try Other Words
- •Disable: to make unable to use or move (Use when talking about loss of ability, often less emotional)
- •Injure: to cause physical harm or damage (Use when focusing on the act of causing harm, not always long-term)
- •Damage: to harm or break something (Use when talking about objects or systems, less about people)
- •Maim: to cause serious injury that leaves someone permanently hurt (Use in very serious, often violent contexts)
Unboxing
- •Prefix/root/suffix: No clear prefix; root "cripple" comes from Old English "crypel" meaning someone who is lame or disabled
- •Etymology: From Old English "crypel" meaning a person with difficulty walking; related to Germanic roots meaning "to creep" or move slowly
- •Historical development: Originally described people with walking difficulties; later used as verb meaning to cause such difficulty or damage
- •Modern usage: Used both as verb and noun; can be sensitive or offensive when used about people, so careful use is important
- •Interesting fact: The word is less common now in polite speech about disabilities, replaced by terms like "disabled" or "person with a disability"
Reflect & Connect
•How can the meaning of "cripple" change depending on whether it describes a person or an object?
•Why is it important to be careful when using the word "cripple" about people today?
Fill in the blanks
1.The accident crippled his legs, making it ___ for him to walk without help.
2.The flood crippled the town’s roads, so cars could not ___ through.
3.Unlike a small injury, to cripple someone means the damage is ___ and long-lasting.
4.The virus crippled the system, causing many programs to ___ working.
5.When used as a noun, a cripple is someone who has difficulty ___ or moving.
6.People now prefer to say "disabled" instead of "cripple" because the latter can sound ___.
7.The heavy storm crippled the power grid, leaving the city ___ without electricity.