adjective
immobile
ih-MOH-buhl/ɪˈməʊbl/
Not moving or unable to move.
The wagon remains immobile with its wheels trapped in hardened mud.
Etymology
The pieces mean “not movable.” Early use for fixed property illustrates the same central idea as the current sense: something that cannot be moved from its place.
In context
his truck broke down on route home. The now immobile and unknowingly contaminated truck would sit in a side road for 40 days.
More examples
- A heavy cast keeps her injured ankle immobile.
- The truck sits immobile with two flat tires.
- He holds his head immobile during the scan.
Forms
immobile
immobility noun — The state of not moving or being unmovable.
immobilize verb — To prevent someone or something from moving.
Similar words
- motionless
- Remaining still without implying any inability to move.
- stationary
- Staying in one place, though individual parts may move.
- paralyzed
- Unable to move because muscle control is lost.