— weakener , n.
/wee"keuhn/ , v.t.
1. to make weak or weaker.
2. Phonet. to change (a speech sound) to an articulation requiring less effort, as from geminate to nongeminate or from stop to fricative.
v.i.
3. to become weak or weaker.
[ 1520-30; WEAK + -EN 1 ]
Syn. 1, 3. enfeeble, debilitate, enervate, undermine, sap, exhaust, deplete, lessen, diminish, lower, reduce, impair, minimize, invalidate.
Ant. 1, 3. strengthen.