Words / B2

dis-AYBL/dɪsˈeɪbl/

To disable is to stop a machine or function working, or to cause a lasting injury that limits activity: disable a feature; disabled by. Enable is the opposite (already in the dictionary); deactivate is the machine twin; injure is broader. Disable the alarm only if the H&S brief allows it. Mix-up: disable vs unable; disabled as a person-first term needs the source’s wording; do not write disable for a brief pause with no loss of function.

Meaning

To stop a machine or function working; also to cause a lasting injury that limits activity.

Examples

• “Disable the alarm only if the H&S brief allows it; still log the time.”
• “A disabled access route featured on the site plan, which is the access sense — still name the gradient if given.”

Good to know

disable a function / alarm; disabled by; disablement. Opposite: enable. Close: deactivate. Trap: unable. Computing, H&S, and citizenship. Stop something working, or cause a lasting injury — log the time or name the access.

Near in meaning

deactivate, incapacitate, immobilise

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