feeble
EnglishEdit
EtymologyEdit
From Middle English feble, from Anglo-Norman feble (“weak, feeble”) (compare French faible), from Latin flēbilis (“tearful, mournful, lamentable”) by dissimilation, from fleō (“I weep, cry”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰleh₁-. Doublet of foible.
PronunciationEdit
AdjectiveEdit
feeble (comparative feebler, superlative feeblest)
- Deficient in physical strength.
- Though she appeared old and feeble, she could still throw a ball.
- 2011 October 23, Tom Fordyce, “2011 Rugby World Cup final: New Zealand 8-7 France”, in BBC Sport[1]:
- France were transformed from the feeble, divided unit that had squeaked past Wales in the semi-final, their half-backs finding the corners with beautifully judged kicks from hand, the forwards making yards with every drive and a reorganised Kiwi line-out beginning to malfunction.
- Lacking force, vigor, or effectiveness in action or expression; faint.
- That was a feeble excuse for an example.
SynonymsEdit
- (physically weak): weak, infirm, debilitated
- (wanting force, vigor or efficiency): faint
Derived termsEdit
TranslationsEdit
deficient in physical strength
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wanting force, vigor or efficiency in action or expression
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VerbEdit
feeble (third-person singular simple present feebles, present participle feebling, simple past and past participle feebled)
ReferencesEdit
- feeble in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- feeble in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911
AnagramsEdit
Middle EnglishEdit
AdjectiveEdit
feeble
- Alternative form of feble