# disable

Pronunciation: US say "dis-AY-bul" /dɪsˈeɪbəl/; UK say "dis-AY-buhl" /dɪsˈeɪbəl/

## Verb

1. To deactivate a function of an electronic or mechanical device so that it stops operating.
   - Simple: To turn off a feature or part of a device so it stops working.
   - _Engineers can disable the safety lock remotely while the line is being serviced._
   - _The technician disabled the faulty sensor before rebooting the controller._
2. To render someone or something unable; to take away an ability, as by crippling.
   - Simple: To take away someone's ability to do something.
   - _The stroke disabled her right arm almost completely._
   - _Severe damage to the engine can disable the entire vessel._
3. To impair someone's physical or mental abilities, causing a serious and permanent injury.
   - Simple: To badly hurt someone's body or mind in a lasting way.
   - _The disease slowly disabled his ability to walk._
   - _Repeated blows to the head can disable a fighter for years afterward._

## Adjective

4. Lacking ability; unable to do something. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: Not able to do something, with no power to act.

## Origin

Formed from the prefix dis- combined with able.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/disable (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).