— Also termed maihem; maihemium. See MAYHEM. [Cases: Mayhem
1. C.J.S. Mayhem §§ 2–6.] — maim, vb.
“Maihem or maim is where by the wrongful act of another any member is hurt or taken away, whereby the party is made unperfect to fight: as if a bone be taken out of the hand …. But the cutting of an ear or nose, or breaking of the hinder teeth, or such like, is no maihem, because it is rather a deformity of body than diminishing of strength; and that is commonly tried by the justices beholding the party. And if the justices stand in doubt whether the hurt be a maihem or not, they use and will of their own discretion take the help and opinion of some skilful chirurgeon, to consider thereof, before they determine upon the cause.” Termes de la Ley 283–84 (1st Am. ed. 1812).
“ ‘Maim’ is the modern equivalent of the old word ‘mayhem,’ and some have long been inclined to abandon the earlier word entirely. There is a tendency, on the other hand, to retain ‘mayhem’ for the offense and to use ‘maim’ for the type of injury originally required for such a crime. This usage has a distinct advantage because statutory enlargements have included another type of injury within the scope of this offense, and today mayhem (the offense) may involve something other than maim (the injury).” Rollin M. Perkins & Ronald N. Boyce, Criminal Law 239 (3d ed. 1982).
