immobilise

Everyday

1. To stop someone or something from moving or working. tree →
2. (first aid) To keep an injured body part still, for example with a splint or sling, so it does not get worse. tree →
3. To stop a vehicle from being started, as with a car alarm or wheel clamp. tree →

In the lessons

In first-aid and safety lessons, you immobilise a broken arm with a sling and do not move someone who may have a neck injury. In science stories, a spider's venom immobilises its prey. In everyday life cars have immobilisers to stop thieves. Phrases: immobilise the injury, immobilise the prey, immobilise a car.

Examples

• The first-aider used a sling to immobilise my broken arm. tree →
• The spider's bite immobilises the fly. tree →
• Snow and ice immobilised the whole town. tree →
• The car has a device that immobilises the engine if it's stolen. tree →
• Don't move someone who might have hurt their neck; paramedics will immobilise it. tree →
• The cold immobilised the lizard until the sun warmed it. tree →

Note

UK «immobilise», US «immobilize». Noun: «immobilisation»; a car's anti-theft device is an «immobiliser». Related adjective «immobile».