\Maim\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Maimed};p. pr. & vb. n.
{Maiming}.] [OE. maimen, OF. mahaignier, mehaignier,
meshaignier, cf. It. magagnare, LL. mahemiare, mahennare;
perh. of Celtic origin; cf. Armor. mac'ha?a to mutilate,
m[=a]c'ha to crowd, press; or cf. OHG. mang?n to lack, perh.
akin to E. mangle to lacerate. Cf. {Mayhem}.]
1. To deprive of the use of a limb, so as to render a person
   on fighting less able either to defend himself or to annoy
   his adversary.
         By the ancient law of England he that maimed any man
         whereby he lost any part of his body, was sentenced
         to lose the like part.                --Blackstone.
2. To mutilate; to cripple; to injure; to disable; to impair.
         My late maimed limbs lack wonted might. --Spenser.
         You maimed the jurisdiction of all bishops. --Shak.
Syn: To mutilate; mangle; cripple.

\Maim\, n. [Written in law language {maihem}, and
{mayhem}.] [OF. mehaing. See {Maim}, v.]
1. The privation of the use of a limb or member of the body,
   by which one is rendered less able to defend himself or to
   annoy his adversary.
2. The privation of any necessary part; a crippling;
   mutilation; injury; deprivation of something essential.
   See {Mayhem}.
         Surely there is more cause to fear lest the want
         there of be a maim than the use of it a blemish.
                                               --Hooker.
         A noble author esteems it to be a maim in history
         that the acts of Parliament should not be recited.
                                               --Hayward.