Enfeeble: meaning, definitions and examples
⚡
enfeeble
[ ɪnˈfiːbəl ]
make weak
To enfeeble means to make someone or something weak or feeble. This term is often used in a physical, emotional, or mental context, describing a loss of strength or vitality.
Synonyms
debilitate, impair, sap, weaken.
Examples of usage
- The illness may enfeeble the patient.
- Overexertion can enfeeble even the strongest individuals.
- The harsh winter winds enfeebled the trees.
Translations
Translations of the word "enfeeble" in other languages:
🇵🇹 enfraquecer
🇮🇳 कमज़ोर करना
🇩🇪 schwächen
🇮🇩 melemahkan
🇺🇦 ослабити
🇵🇱 osłabić
🇯🇵 弱める
🇫🇷 affaiblir
🇪🇸 debilitar
🇹🇷 zayıflatmak
🇰🇷 약화시키다
🇸🇦 يضعف
🇨🇿 oslabení
🇸🇰 oslabovať
🇨🇳 削弱
🇸🇮 oslabiti
🇮🇸 veikja
🇰🇿 әлсірету
🇬🇪 წანწალი
🇦🇿 zəiflətmək
🇲🇽 debilitar
Etymology
The word 'enfeeble' originates from the late Middle English period, deriving from the combination of the prefix 'en-' meaning 'to cause to be' and the Old French word 'faiblir', which means 'to weaken'. This Old French word itself comes from the Latin 'fēbĭlis', which means 'weak' or 'feeble', and is related to 'fērare', meaning 'to make weak'. The usage of 'enfeeble' has remained consistent over the centuries, primarily in literary and formal contexts, where it describes the act of diminishing strength or vitality. The evolution of the word highlights a common linguistic trend of using prefixes to alter the meaning of a root word, allowing for more descriptive language in English.