n. & v.
--n.
1. extreme tiredness after exertion.
2 weakness in materials, esp. metal, caused by repeated variations of stress.
3 a reduction in the efficiency of a muscle, organ, etc., after prolonged activity.
4 an activity that causes fatigue.
5 a a non-military duty in the army, often as a punishment. b (in full fatigue-party) a group of soldiers ordered to do fatigues.
--v.tr. (fatigues, fatigued, fatiguing) cause fatigue in; tire, exhaust.
Derivatives:
fatiguable adj. (also fatigable). fatiguability n. (also fatigability). fatigueless adj.
Etymology: F fatigue, fatiguer f. L fatigare tire out