The word "impair" is spelled with an "i" followed by an "m," which is pronounced as /ɪm/. This is then followed by a "p," which is pronounced as /p/, and an "a," pronounced as /ɛ/. Finally, there is an "i" which is pronounced as /ər/. Together, the word "impair" is pronounced as /ɪmˈpɛər/. The word means "to weaken or damage something or someone." It is important to spell and pronounce words correctly as it helps in better communication and avoiding misunderstandings.
The term "impair" is a transitive verb that refers to the act of weakening, damaging, or limiting the functioning or effectiveness of something or someone. When something is impaired, it means its quality, ability, or value has been diminished in some way, making it less optimal or efficient.
In the context of physical objects or structures, impairing may involve causing damage or deterioration that affects their functioning or quality. This could include reducing the strength, integrity, or appearance of an item, leading to a decrease in its overall usefulness or desirability. For example, a broken window impairs the insulation of a house, allowing cold air to enter during winter months.
When it comes to human faculties or abilities, impairing refers to hindering or limiting their normal functioning. This could pertain to physical impairments, such as a hearing loss or a mobility restriction, affecting the individual's day-to-day activities. Moreover, it can encompass cognitive impairments, impacting a person's memory, attention span, or ability to process information.
Additionally, impair can also be used metaphorically to describe situations where a process, function, or system is weakened or obstructed, resulting in reduced effectiveness or efficiency. For instance, excessive regulations can impair economic growth by hindering business development and innovation.
Overall, "impair" signifies the act of diminishing or damaging the quality, abilities, or functionality of a person, object, or process, resulting in a decrease in its overall performance or value.
To make worse; to diminish in value, excellence, or quality.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* 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 "impair" comes from the Old French term "empeirier", which in turn is derived from the Latin word "impaired", meaning "to make worse". The Latin word "impaired" is a combination of the prefix "in-" meaning "not" or "opposite", and "pares", which means "equal". Hence, "impair" originally referred to the act of making something unequal or worse.