Immobilise (Verb)
Meaning 1
To hold fast or prevent from moving; "The child was pinned under the fallen tree".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- The fire department had to carefully cut away the wreckage to immobilise the vehicle and rescue the trapped passengers.
- Using strong ropes, the rescuers managed to immobilise the loose rocks and debris on the mountain, ensuring the climbers' safe descent.
- A large bear is immobilised with tranquilisers before the wildlife experts can safely tag and release it back into the forest.
- During the arrest, the police officers had to use handcuffs to immobilise the suspect's hands and prevent any further resistance.
- After witnessing the accident, bystanders rushed to immobilise the injured motorcyclist until emergency services arrived to take over.
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Meaning 2
Hold as reserve or withdraw from circulation; of capital.
Classification
Verbs of buying, selling, owning.
Examples
- The bank decided to immobilise a large portion of its capital as a precautionary measure during the economic downturn.
- By immobilising their investments, the company hoped to weather the financial storm without suffering significant losses.
- The government's decision to immobilise the national bonds would have far-reaching consequences for the country's economy.
- To stabilise the financial market, regulators began to immobilise the trading of certain high-risk assets.
- The company chose to immobilise a significant portion of its shares to prevent hostile takeover attempts.
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Meaning 3
Convert (assets) into fixed capital.
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- The company's capital was immobilised in the long-term investment of purchasing a new factory.
- They chose to immobilise a significant portion of their wealth in real estate, hoping for long-term returns.
- The business opted to immobilise most of its liquid assets in purchasing shares of other companies.
- Financial experts advised against immobilising too much of their clients' assets in illiquid investments.
- Their policy is to immobilise assets only in opportunities that demonstrate high potential for growth.
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Meaning 4
Prohibit the conversion or use of (assets); "Blocked funds"; "Freeze the assets of this hostile government".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- The government will immobilise the bank accounts of anyone suspected of money laundering or other financial crimes.
- To counter the hostile government's actions, the international community decided to immobilise its foreign assets.
- As part of the sanctions, the country's leaders were ordered to immobilise the assets of the regime's key figures abroad.
- The authorities acted quickly to immobilise the company's funds, which were suspected to be derived from illicit activities.
- Law enforcement agencies worked to immobilise the frozen assets until the ongoing investigation was completed and the assets' rightful owners were identified.
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Meaning 5
Make defenseless.
Classification
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities.
Examples
- Prolonged physical exercise can lead to fatigue, effectively immobilising one's opponent in a combat sport.
- Freezing an enemy unit with magic can immobilise them long enough to be destroyed by other players.
- The goal of this poisonous spider's venom is to immobilise its prey without killing it immediately.
- These tactical moves immobilise the enemy's resources leaving them open to attack.
- Her opponent's successful block immobilised her for a few seconds in the martial arts competition.
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Meaning 6
Cause to be unable to move; "The sudden storm immobilized the traffic".
Classification
Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc..
Examples
- The authorities were forced to immobilise the vehicle as the driver had no valid insurance.
- Debris and wreckage strewn across the highway immobilised all the vehicles in the vicinity.
- She applied a splint to immobilise the broken limb until they reached the hospital.
- In a bold move, the hackers immobilised the security cameras by infiltrating the system.
- During the operation, the anaesthesia worked to immobilise the patient to avoid any complications.