How is "great bodily harm" defined in legal terms?

The definition of "great bodily harm" in legal terms is accurately described as significant physical injury or impairment. This encompasses injuries that are severe enough to cause serious injury or disfigurement, which can impact a person's ability to perform normal activities or may pose a risk to their health and well-being.

Legally, this term is used to differentiate between minor injuries and those that have substantial consequences, thus carrying greater legal implications, especially in cases related to assault or battery. By being specific about “significant” injury, the legal framework aims to ensure that only serious cases are classified under this term, reflecting the severity of the offense and guiding appropriate legal consequences.

In contrast, other choices describe injuries that do not meet the legal threshold for "great bodily harm." For instance, discomfort, minor cuts and bruises, or temporary pain without actual injury would not be sufficient to classify an incident as causing "great bodily harm," and therefore would fall under lesser categories of injury in legal contexts.