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immotility

immotility

9.9
Not being able to move, especially in living things
  • noun
  • /ˌɪməˈtɪləti/
  • Specialized
translation icon : inmovilidad
  • The immotility of the sperm cells was a significant factor in the couple's infertility.

Examples

  • In some neurological disorders, immotility can affect a person's ability to perform basic movements.

  • After the stroke, her immotility was alarming to the doctors.

  • The researchers studied the effects of chemicals on the immotility of certain bacteria under the microscope.

  • The patient experienced severe immotility after the accident.

  • In some neurological disorders, immotility can affect a person's ability to perform basic movements.

  • The immotility of the sperm cells was a significant factor in the couple's infertility.

  • After the stroke, her immotility was alarming to the doctors.

Synonyms

immobility
vsimmotility
4 6.3

A state of no movement or not being able to move

is specifically about inability for spontaneous movement in biological contexts
inertness
vsimmotility
1 7.5

A state of not moving or not reacting to change

is specific to biological lack of spontaneous movement rather than general inactivity
akinesis
vsimmotility
  • Specialized
9.9

Loss of the ability to move muscles on purpose

is broader, meaning inability for spontaneous movement in biological contexts
akinesia
vsimmotility
  • Specialized
9.9

Not being able to move parts of the body on purpose

is the general inability to make spontaneous movement in biological settings
immobilism
vsimmotility
  • Specialized
9.6

The state of being unable to move part of the body because of injury or being held still

is about lack of spontaneous movement in biological or medical contexts
immovability
vsimmotility
7.5

A state in which something does not move or change

focuses on biological inability to move rather than absolute physical resistance
motionlessness
vsimmotility
6.0

A time when a person or thing is completely still

is about inability for spontaneous movement, not simple temporary stillness
paralyzation
vsimmotility
  • US
7.6

A state when action, services, or decisions stop because of a problem

is narrower, focusing on biological inability for spontaneous movement rather than general stoppage

Antonyms

92 3.4

Being able to move or change position easily

motility
  • Specialized
5 8.6

The ability of a living thing or cell to move on its own

How Mobile

mobility
92 3.4
immotility
  • Specialized
9.9
paralysis
81 5.4

Surface Forms

immotility singular
immotilities plural

Morphology

immotility = motility (transparent) = im + motility

Standard negation by the prefix 'im-' applied to 'motility' yields 'lack of motility', so the meaning follows regular English negation.

Etymology

The word immotility comes from the prefix im- meaning 'not' and the root mot meaning 'move', the same root you see in motion and motor. So, immotility means 'not moving' or a lack of movement, often used in medicine to talk about cells or people who cannot move.