adj.1 deficient in strength, power, or number; fragile; easily broken or bent or defeated.
2 deficient in vigour; sickly, feeble (weak health; a weak imagination).
3 a deficient in resolution; easily led (a weak character). b (of an action or features) indicating a lack of resolution (a weak surrender; a weak chin).
4 unconvincing or logically deficient (weak evidence; a weak argument).
5 (of a mixed liquid or solution) watery, thin, dilute (weak tea).
6 (of a style etc.) not vigorous or well-knit; diffuse, slipshod.
7 (of a crew) short-handed.
8 (of a syllable etc.) unstressed.
9 Gram. in Germanic languages: a (of a verb) forming inflections by the addition of a suffix to the stem. b (of a noun or adjective) belonging to a declension in which the stem originally ended in -n (opp. STRONG adj. 22).
Phrases and idioms:
weak ending an unstressed syllable in a normally stressed place at the end of a verse-line. the weaker sex derog. women. weak grade Gram. an unstressed ablaut-form. weak interaction Physics the weakest form of interaction between elementary particles. weak-kneed colloq. lacking resolution. weak-minded
1. mentally deficient.
2 lacking in resolution. weak-mindedness the state of being weak-minded. weak moment a time when one is unusually compliant or temptable.
weak point (or spot)
1. a place where defences are assailable.
2 a flaw in an argument or character or in resistance to temptation.
Derivatives:
weakish adj.
Etymology: ME f. ON veikr f. Gmc