grounded
/ˈɡɹaʊndɪd/ · ground·ed
verb
- To connect (an electrical conductor or device) to a ground. The electrician grounded the wire to prevent a short circuit.
- To punish, especially a child or teenager, by forcing him/her to stay at home and/or give up certain privileges. Eric, you are grounded until further notice for lying to us about where you were last night!
- To forbid (an aircraft or pilot) to fly. Because of the bad weather, all flights were grounded.
adjective
- (of an airman) Not allowed to fly. The grounded pilot was disappointed but understood the safety concerns.
- (of a person, predicative) Confined to stay inside, typically by a parent, as a punishment. My brother is grounded and can't play video games for a week.
- (of a person) Mature, sensible with well-considered priorities. She's a grounded person who always thinks before acting.
Did you know? The phrase 'grounded' has become a common way to discipline children, but its origins in electrical engineering are often overlooked.