incapacitate

INCAPAC'ITATE, verb transitive [in and capacitate.] 1. To deprive of capacity or natural power of learning, knowing, understanding or performing. Old age and infirmity often incapacitate men to exercise the office of a judge. 2. To render or make incapable; as, infancy incapacitates a child for learning algebra. 3. To disable; to weaken; to deprive of competent power or ability. This is an improper use of the word. The loss of an arm disables a soldier, but does not incapacitate him. 4. To render unfit; as, infancy incapacitates one for marriage. 5. To disqualify; to deprive of legal or constitutional requisites; as, conviction of a crime incapacitates one to be a witness.