feeble
adjectiveverbattested in dialogue
- //ˈfiːbəl//
Deficient in physical strength.
adjective
- 1
Deficient in physical strength.
Though she appeared old and feeble, she could still throw a ball.
Pent up in Utica he vainly forms A poor Epitome of Roman Greatneſs, And, cover’d with Numidian Guards, directs A feeble Army, and an empty Senate, Remnants of mighty Battels fought in vain.
You've had your time Gonna walk that line Like a living travesty, Endlessly bound to your sins I'll hunt you down in time You're just a feeble swine How can I compromise When all you do is deny
France were transformed from the feeble, divided unit that had squeaked past Wales in the semi-final, their half-backs finding the corners with beautifully judged kicks from hand, the forwards making yards with every drive and a reorganised Kiwi line-out beginning to malfunction.
- 2
Lacking force, vigor, or effectiveness in action or expression; faint.
That was a feeble excuse for an example.
Etymology
Etymology tree Anglo-Norman feblebor. Middle English feble English feeble From Middle English feble, from Anglo-Norman feble (“weak, feeble”) (compare French faible), from Latin flēbilis (“tearful, mournful, lamentable”) by dissimilation, from fleō (“to weep, cry”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰleh₁-. Doublet of foible.
verb
- 1
obsoleteTo make feeble; to enfeeble.
Forms
- comparative
- feebler
- superlative
- feeblest
- past tense
- feebled
- past participle
- feebled
- present participle
- feebling
- third person singular
- feebles