FEEBLE


Meaning of FEEBLE in English

I. ˈfēbəl adjective

( usually feebler -b(ə)lə(r) ; feeblest -b(ə)lə̇st)

Etymology: Middle English feble, from Old French flebe, feble, foible, from Latin flebilis lamentable, wretched, from flēre to weep — more at bleat

1.

a. : markedly lacking in normal strength or endurance : weak , debilitated, infirm

a feeble old man

feeble in mind and body

b. : unequal to strain : yielding , fragile

a shaky buttress providing only feeble support

a flower with a feeble stem

c. : indicating weakness or infirmity

taking only feeble steps

gave a feeble moan

2.

a. : deficient in qualities or resources that indicate or give vigor, authority, force, or efficiency : not strong or effective (as in character, mental ability, tone, or color)

a feeble personality

a feeble intelligence

feeble imagery

a feeble attempt at a novel

b. : inadequate , inferior

forced to deal with feeble human nature

could muster only the feeblest of thoughts on the occasion

making feeble excuses

Synonyms: see weak

II. transitive verb

( -ed/-ing/-s )

Etymology: Middle English feblen, partly from Middle English feble, adjective, partly from Old French feblir, flebir to make or become feeble, from flebe, feble, foible, adjective

archaic : to make feeble : enfeeble

III. noun

( -s )

Etymology: Middle English feble, from feble, adjective

1. obsolete : a feeble person

2.

a. archaic : foible 1

b. : foible 2

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.