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akinetic

akinetic

9.5
Not able to move because of a health problem
  • adjective
  • /ˌeɪkɪˈnɛtɪk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : akinetico
  • Patients with akinetic mutism do not respond to any external stimuli despite being conscious.

Examples

  • Instructions to elicit such drawings have been classified as kinetic (e.g., "Draw a picture of everyone in your family doing something") or akinetic (e.g., "Draw a picture of everyone in your family") (Klepsch & Logie, 1982).

    Academic text (1996)
  • The doctor explained that those with akinetic conditions may be aware of their surroundings but remain completely still.

  • His akinetic state made it impossible for him to engage in any form of physical activity.

Synonyms

immobile
vsakinetic
14 4.4

Not able to move or be moved, like a statue

is the same lack of movement but caused by a medical condition
inactive
vsakinetic
4 2.3

Not moving and not showing much physical or mental energy

is the same lack of movement but highlights a medical reason for it
moveless
vsakinetic
6.9

Completely still and not changing position

has the same total stillness but implies a medical cause
nonmobile
vsakinetic
6.5

Unable to move or be moved easily

is similar but emphasizes medical inactivity as cause

Antonyms

664 1.0

Operating now and not stopped

81 2.7

Able to change or move easily

Compounds

akinetic epilepsy
  • Specialized
9.9

An illness where a person suddenly cannot move for a short time during a seizure

How Mobile

mobile
81 2.7
to still
12 4.2
immobile
14 4.4
akinetic
  • Specialized
9.5
paralyzed
  • US
1 4.2

Surface Forms

akinetic positive

Morphology

akinetic = kinetic (semi-transparent) = a + kinet + ic

Adding the negative prefix 'a-' to 'kinetic' suggests 'not moving', but this Greek-derived pattern is not highly transparent for average learners and the medical use is specialized.

Etymology

Akinetic comes from Greek parts a- meaning 'not' and kinetic from kinesis meaning 'movement'. So akinetic means 'not moving', which is why doctors use it for a limb or a part of the heart that is inactive after illness.