immobility

Everyday

1. Immobility is the state of not moving or not being able to move. tree →
2. Immobility can mean keeping very still on purpose. tree →

In the lessons

In health and science lessons it describes injured people or animals who cannot move and the dangers of lying still too long. In stories a character's immobility shows fear, shock or careful hiding. Phrases: total immobility, long periods of immobility.

Examples

• The broken leg caused weeks of immobility. tree →
• The rabbit froze in total immobility when the fox passed. tree →
• Long immobility on a plane can be bad for your legs. tree →
• His immobility made the guard think he was a statue. tree →
• The statue's immobility amazed the toddler. tree →
• Doctors try to keep patients moving to avoid immobility. tree →

Note

Uncountable. Adjective: immobile; verb: immobilise (UK) / immobilize (US). Opposite: mobility, movement. Formal; in speech say «not moving» or «keeping still».