Impairment

[OE. enpeirement, OF. empirement.]
The state, act, or process of being impaired; injury. «The impairment of my health.» Dryden.

1. A reduction in a company's stated capital.

2. The total capital that is less than the par value of the company's capital stock.

Investopedia Says:
1. This is usually reduced because of poorly estimated losses or gains.

2. Impairment can be used in many contexts. Whatever the situation, impairment is bad for the company.

Related Links:
Impairment charge is a term for writing off worthless goodwill, but you need to know what it means and what its potential impact is on EPS. Impairment Charges: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

noun

An act, instance, or consequence of breaking: breakage, damage, destruction, wreckage. See help/harm/harmless.

Weakening, damage, or deterioration, especially as a result of injury or disease.

The noun has 5 meanings:

Meaning #1: the occurrence of a change for the worse
  Synonyms: damage, harm

Meaning #2: a symptom of reduced quality or strength
  Synonym: deterioration

Meaning #3: the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness
  Synonyms: disability, disablement, handicap

Meaning #4: damage that results in a reduction of strength or quality

Meaning #5: the act of making something futile and useless (as by routine)
  Synonyms: stultification, constipation, deadening