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American Dictionary of the English Language

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Incapacitate


INCAPAC'ITATE, verb transitive [in and capacitate.]

1. To deprive of capacity or natural power of learning, knowing, understanding or performing. Old age and infirmity often incapacitate men to exercise the office of a judge.

2. To render or make incapable; as, infancy incapacitates a child for learning algebra.

3. To disable; to weaken; to deprive of competent power or ability. This is an improper use of the word. The loss of an arm disables a soldier, but does not incapacitate him.

4. To render unfit; as, infancy incapacitates one for marriage.

5. To disqualify; to deprive of legal or constitutional requisites; as, conviction of a crime incapacitates one to be a witness.