feeble

[ fee-buh l ]
/ ˈfi bəl /

adjective, fee·bler, fee·blest.

physically weak, as from age or sickness; frail.
weak intellectually or morally: a feeble mind.
lacking in volume, loudness, brightness, distinctness, etc.: a feeble voice; feeble light.
lacking in force, strength, or effectiveness: feeble resistance; feeble arguments.

Origin of feeble

1125–75; Middle English feble < Old French, variant of fleible (by dissimilation) < Latin flēbilis lamentable, equivalent to flē(re) to weep + -bilis -ble

SYNONYMS FOR feeble

1 See weak.

OTHER WORDS FROM feeble

Example sentences from the Web for feeble

British Dictionary definitions for feeble

feeble
/ (ˈfiːbəl) /

adjective

lacking in physical or mental strength; frail; weak
inadequate; unconvincing feeble excuses
easily influenced or indecisive

Derived forms of feeble

feebleness, noun feebly, adverb

Word Origin for feeble

C12: from Old French feble, fleible, from Latin flēbilis to be lamented, from flēre to weep