lame

adjective (lame, lamer, lamest); verb (lame — rare)

«lame» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

Everyday

Unable to walk normally because of a hurt leg or foot (used mostly about animals, especially horses). tree →
(informal, slang) Boring, weak or not cool: «That joke is lame». tree →
A lame excuse is a weak one that no one believes. tree →
(Bible) Old word for people who cannot walk; Jesus healed the lame. tree →

In the lessons

In stories a lame horse cannot carry its rider. Children use «lame» as slang for «boring» or «uncool». Using «lame» about a disabled person is old-fashioned and can be hurtful; say «has a limp» or «cannot walk». Phrases: «lame excuse», «a lame duck» (a weak leader or business), «so lame».

Examples

The horse went lame after it hurt its hoof. tree →
«The dog ate my homework» is a lame excuse. tree →
That film was so lame! (slang) tree →
In the Bible story, Jesus made the lame man walk. tree →
The President was a lame duck in his last months. tree →
His jokes are lame but we laugh anyway. tree →
Now I am lame for life! tree →

Note

Comparative lamer, lamest. The slang meaning can hurt people with disabilities; be careful. Do not confuse with «lamé» (shiny fabric).

In Jewish tradition

In the Tanakh, being lame is one of the blemishes that keep a priest from serving at the altar or an animal from being offered. It also names people who cannot walk well, as Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, and Job says he was "feet to the lame".

Interpretation. The law lists physical flaws that disqualify a priest from the service. The rabbis taught that a priest with such a flaw still shares the holy food, and that the rule is about the dignity of the service, not the worth of the person. Malachi's words are read as a rebuke to people who brought God their worst animals, and Job's words as an example of kindness to the disabled.

Examples

For whatsoever man he be that hath a blemish, he shall not approach: a blind man, or a lame, or he that hath any thing maimed, or anything too long, (Torah LEV.21.18, JPS 1917) tree →
And when ye offer the lame and sick, is it no evil! (Prophets MAL.1.8, JPS 1917) tree →
Now Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son that was lame of his feet. (Prophets 2SA.4.4, JPS 1917) tree →
I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame. (Writings JOB.29.15, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Comparative lamer, lamest. The slang meaning can hurt people with disabilities; be careful. Do not confuse with «lamé» (shiny fabric).

On Mova

Trees and pragmatics of «lame» in the school dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«lame» in the school dictionary on Mova free.
Trees and pragmatics of «lame» in the Judaism dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«lame» in the Judaism dictionary on Mova free.

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