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non-handicapped

non-handicapped

3.8
Not having a physical or mental disability
  • adjective
  • Archaic
translation icon : sin discapacidad
  • In the park, non-handicapped individuals were enjoying various outdoor activities.

Examples

  • At the gym, the trainer encouraged the non-handicapped participants to try new exercises.

  • In the group of non-handicapped students, 6 improved and 11 regressed after weeks of homework assignments.

    Academic text (1990)
  • The non-handicapped athletes competed fiercely in the annual championship.

Synonyms

able-bodied
vsnon-handicapped
30 4.2

A person who is physically strong and healthy

includes absence of mental as well as physical disability, not only fitness
nondisabled
vsnon-handicapped
4.2

A person who has no long-term physical or mental problem that limits daily life

is used more broadly, not mainly as a collective label
abled
vsnon-handicapped
8.1

People who do not have disabilities

is used for individuals as well as groups, not only group labels

Antonyms

27 3.3

People with a long-term physical or mental condition that limits daily activities

How Disabled

disabled
259 2.3
non-handicapped
  • Archaic
3.8

Surface Forms

non-handicapped positive

Morphology

non-handicapped = handicapped (transparent) = non + handicap + ed

The adjective is formed by negating 'handicapped' with the productive negating prefix 'non-'; the meaning 'not having a disability' follows directly.

Etymology

Non-handicapped comes from non- 'not' plus handicap, where handicap long ago came to mean a 'disadvantage' or difficulty and was used for physical or mental limits. So non-handicapped means 'not having that disadvantage', in other words not disabled.