lame Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun someone who doesn't understand what is going on
    square.
  2. noun a fabric interwoven with threads of metal
    • she wore a gold lame dress
  3. verb deprive of the use of a limb, especially a leg
    cripple.
    • The accident has crippled her for life
  4. adjective satellite pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness
    feeble.
    • a feeble excuse
    • a lame argument
  5. adjective satellite disabled in the feet or legs
    halt; gimpy; halting; game; crippled.
    • a crippled soldier
    • a game leg

WordNet

Lame adjective
Etymology
OE. lame, AS. lama; akin to D. lam, G. lahm,OHG., Dan., & Sw. lam, Icel. lami, Russ. lomate to break, lomota rheumatism.
Wordforms
comparative Lamer ; superlative Lamest
Definitions
  1. (a) Moving with pain or difficulty on account of injury, defect, or temporary obstruction of a function; as, a lame leg, arm, or muscle. (b) To some degree disabled by reason of the imperfect action of a limb; crippled; as, a lame man. "Lame of one leg." Arbuthnot. "Lame in both his feet." 2 Sam. ix. 13. "He fell, and became lame." 2 Sam. iv. 4.
  2. Hence, hobbling; limping; inefficient; imperfect. "A lame endeavor." Barrow.
    O, most lame and impotent conclusion! Shak.
Lame transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Lamed ; present participle & verbal noun Laming
Definitions
  1. To make lame.
    If you happen to let child fall and lame it. Swift.
Lame intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To shine. Obs. Piers Plowman.

Webster 1913