Search Result for "impairment": 
Wordnet 3.0

NOUN (5)

1. the occurrence of a change for the worse;
[syn: damage, harm, impairment]

2. a symptom of reduced quality or strength;
[syn: deterioration, impairment]

3. the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness;
- Example: "reading disability"
- Example: "hearing impairment"
[syn: disability, disablement, handicap, impairment]

4. damage that results in a reduction of strength or quality;

5. the act of making something futile and useless (as by routine);
[syn: stultification, constipation, impairment, deadening]



The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Impairment \Im*pair"ment\, n. [OE. enpeirement, OF. empirement.]
   The state, act, or process of being impaired; injury. "The
   impairment of my health." --Dryden.
   [1913 Webster]


WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

impairment
    n 1: the occurrence of a change for the worse [syn: damage,
         harm, impairment]
    2: a symptom of reduced quality or strength [syn:
       deterioration, impairment]
    3: the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of
       physical or mental unfitness; "reading disability"; "hearing
       impairment" [syn: disability, disablement, handicap,
       impairment]
    4: damage that results in a reduction of strength or quality
    5: the act of making something futile and useless (as by
       routine) [syn: stultification, constipation,
       impairment, deadening]