Final answer:
The word 'maim' most nearly means to injure, referring to causing significant physical harm often leading to a disability. It is associated with acts of cruelty that result in severe and lasting damage to the body. The correct answer is option b.
Step-by-step explanation:
The word maim most nearly means b-injure. In this context, 'maim' refers to causing physical harm to someone. This can be understood through various literary excerpts and definitions where the act of maiming is associated with physical injury or disabling someone, often severely, and causing lasting damage. The term does not imply minor injuries but suggests significant harm to the body.
In the given text excerpts, the punishments and cruelties mentioned allude to severe physical harm, akin to the definition of maim. For instance, the merciless overseer described in the first excerpt is said to inflict severe punishment, which could very well result in the slaves being maimed. Similarly, exposing a magician or an informer could lead to acts of retribution that might injure or maim a person.
In literary and historical contexts, the act of maiming someone is a grievous offense and can also carry legal consequences. Maiming would likely lead to physical harm so serious that it impedes a person's ability to function normally, which corresponds with option b-injure.