Definition: immobilize

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

immobilize
     v 1: hold as reserve or withdraw from circulation; of capital
          [syn: immobilise]
     2: to hold fast or prevent from moving; "The child was pinned
        under the fallen tree" [syn: trap, pin, immobilise]
     3: make defenseless [syn: immobilise]
     4: convert (assets) into fixed capital [syn: immobilise]
     5: prohibit the conversion or use of (assets); "Blocked funds";
        "Freeze the assets of this hostile government" [syn: freeze,
         block, immobilise] [ant: unblock, unblock]
     6: cause to be immobile; "The sudden storm immobilized the
        traffic" [syn: immobilise]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Immobilize \Im*mob"i*lize\, v. t. [Pref. im- in + mobilize; cf.
   f. immobiliser.]
   To make immovable; in surgery, to make immovable (a naturally
   mobile part, as a joint) by the use of splints, or stiffened
   bandages.