The word "immobilize" is spelled with three syllables: i-mo-bi-lize. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /ɪˈməʊbɪlaɪz/. The first syllable is pronounced as "ih" as in "bit", the second syllable is pronounced as "moh" as in "low", and the final syllable is pronounced as "laiz" as in "prize". The spelling of "immobilize" follows standard English phonetics, with stress on the second syllable and a final "ize" indicating a verb form. It means to make something or someone unable to move or function.
To immobilize refers to the act of rendering someone or something motionless or incapable of moving or functioning as usual. It involves restricting or preventing mobility or movement by restraining, sedating, or disabling a person, animal, or object. Immobilization can be induced deliberately, as an intentional action undertaken for various purposes, or it can occur naturally as a result of injury or incapacity.
In medicine and emergency situations, immobilization is often employed to prevent further harm or damage to an injured body part or to stabilize fractures or dislocations. This can involve the application of splints, braces, casts, or other supportive devices to limit movement and provide support for proper healing.
In a more general sense, immobilization can be applied to objects or equipment to secure or fix them in place. For instance, in industrial settings, machinery or parts may be immobilized temporarily for maintenance or repair work to be carried out safely. In law enforcement or military operations, when a person's mobility must be restricted for security reasons or arrest purposes, they may be immobilized using handcuffs or other restraining devices.
Overall, the term "immobilize" implies the act of preventing or limiting the ability to move or function effectively, whether it be a human, animal, or inanimate object, for various reasons or circumstances.
To render fixed or incapable of moving.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "immobilize" originated from the Latin term "immobilis", which is a combination of the prefix "in-" meaning "not" or "without", and the word "mobilis" meaning "movable" or "capable of movement". "Immobilis" is derived from the Latin verb "movere", meaning "to move". Therefore, "immobilize" in English signifies the act of making something unable to move or preventing its movement.