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Debilitation: meaning, definitions and examples

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debilitation

 

[ dɪˌbɪlɪˈteɪʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

medical condition

Debilitation refers to a state of physical or mental weakening, often resulting from illness or injury. It can manifest as a significant reduction in strength, vitality, or function, impacting one’s ability to perform daily activities. Debilitation may also arise from chronic diseases or prolonged periods of inactivity, leading to further complications. The term is frequently used in medical settings to describe conditions that hinder recovery or rehabilitation.

Synonyms

decrease, diminishment, impairment, weakness

Examples of usage

  • The patient's debilitation after the surgery was concerning.
  • Prolonged debilitation can affect mental health.
  • He struggled with debilitation due to his chronic illness.

Translations

Translations of the word "debilitation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 debilitação

🇮🇳 कमज़ोरी

🇩🇪 Debilitation

🇮🇩 debilitasi

🇺🇦 дебілітація

🇵🇱 debilitacja

🇯🇵 衰弱

🇫🇷 débilitation

🇪🇸 debilitación

🇹🇷 zayıflama

🇰🇷 쇠약

🇸🇦 إضعاف

🇨🇿 debilitace

🇸🇰 debilitácia

🇨🇳 虚弱

🇸🇮 debilitacija

🇮🇸 veikleiki

🇰🇿 әлсіздік

🇬🇪 დაბლა

🇦🇿 debilitasiya

🇲🇽 debilitación

Word origin

The term 'debilitation' comes from the Latin word 'debilitare', which means to weaken or incapacitate. The root 'debilis' translates to 'weak' or 'feeble.' The use of the term in English can be traced back to the late Middle Ages as a description of weakened states due to physical ailments. Throughout the centuries, 'debilitation' has been used in various contexts, especially in medicine and biology, to denote conditions that result in diminished strength or function. In modern usage, it encompasses a wide range of scenarios, from temporary weakness following an illness, to chronic fatigue syndromes, or severe impairments due to neurological disorders, emphasizing the importance of recovery and rehabilitation in health discussions.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,843 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.