feebleadj.n.
/ˈfiːbl/, U.S. /ˈfib(ə)l/ A. adj.absolute.?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 163 Þus vre lauerd spareð an earest þe ȝeunge & þe feble.c1425 Wyntoun Cron. viii. xviii. 92 Rycht oft makis þe febil wycht.1808 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 19 424 If acidity be troublesome, as often happens to the feeble and dyspeptic.† 2. absolute.1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis I. 24 The feble meind was with the strong So might it nought wel stonde long.† 4. † b. Of a grant of money, a meal: Scanty. Obsolete.† 5. † b. Of a period, event, etc.: Miserable, illstarred, unhappy. Obsolete.† c. In moral sense: Mean, base. Obsolete.
1. Of persons or animals, their limbs or organs: Lacking strength, weak, infirm. Now implying an extreme degree of weakness, and suggesting either pity or contempt. †Const. of, also to with infinitive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily weakness > [adjective]
wokec897
unstronga900
unmightyeOE
feeblec1175
strengthlessc1175
unwieldc1220
weaka1300
frailc1384
unwieldyc1386
unthendec1425
dissolutec1450
unsure?a1475
feyc1475
simple1477
unfirm1483
unsinewed?1541
wash1548
weakling1557
ladylike1566
silly1567
water weak1592
washya1631
wankle1686
foible1715
unmuscular1725
nerveless1792
wankly1795
shilpit1813
wankya1825
sinewless1829
weedy-looking1835
queachy1859
insubstantiala1861
paper-backed1888
weak-fleshed1967
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > weakness or feebleness > [adjective]
feeblec1400
colourlessc1425
flagging1540
pithless1555
blanched1570
toothless1592
unpointed1604
unsinewed1604
jejune1615
low-pitched1622
unsinewy?1623
macilent1624
flaccid1647
insinewy1653
unsubstanceda1658
incogent1667
pointless1673
languida1677
enervatea1704
unaccentuated1716
unnervate1725
lank1729
unforcible1754
nerveless1763
weak1771
flabby1793
slip-slop1814
tinkling1822
exsanguinea1834
twittery1840
slipshod1842
under-coloured1870
shaftless1881
thin1890
unaccented1893
wimpish1925
wimp1979
c1175 Lamb. Hom. 47 Þa bi-com his licome swiðe feble.
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 203 Ach wast þu hwet awilgeð Monnes feble echnen þet is hechȝe iclumben.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 7665 Þe deneis no mete ne founde..& so þe feblore were.
c1305 St. Christopher 216 in Early Eng. Poems & Lives Saints (1862) 65 Þu ert wel feble to fiȝte.
c1320 Seuyn Sag. (W.) 3450 He was lene and febil of myght.
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xxxvii. 15 As aran þan þe whilk na thynge is febiler.
c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 311 If the patient be maad feble wiþ medicyns laxativis.
?c1450 Life St. Cuthbert (1891) l. 3607 He was so febill he myght noȝt ga.
1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) xxxiii. 55 And this lady felt her self al wery, and feble of the aduysyon.
?1499 J. Skelton Bowge of Courte (de Worde) sig. Aij His hede maye be harde but feble is his brayne.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) liv. 182 Huon was mounted on his lene feble horse.
1611 Bible (King James) Gen. xxx. 42 The feebler were Labans. View more context for this quotation
1645 J. Milton Passion vii, in Poems 19 Though grief my feeble hands up-lock.
1764 O. Goldsmith Traveller 8 The feeble heart.
1829 T. Hood Dream Eugene Aram in Gem 1 112 A feeble man, and old.
1841 R. W. Emerson Prudence in Ess. 1st Ser. (London ed.) 240 Bring them hand to hand, and they are feeble folk.
a. Of things: Having little strength; weak, frail, fragile; slight, slender. Of a fortress, etc.: Having little power of resistance. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > constitution of matter > weakness > [adjective]
tender?c1225
feeble1340
infirmc1374
slight1393
weakc1400
sperec1440
silly1587
unsound1590
immaterial1609
paper1615
unsubstantiala1617
reedy1628
slighty1662
insufficient1700
flimsy1702
bandbox1727
unconfirmed1752
insubstantial1767
gossamery1790
thread-paper1803
gossamer1806
slimsy1845
unendurable1879
bandboxy1891
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > [adjective] > lacking vigour, strength, or spirit
bloodlessc1225
feeble1340
languoring?c1425
languid1646
chlorotic1764
exanimate1841
limp1853
anaemic1898
brain-dead1972
society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > [adjective] > weak
feeble1340
weakc1400
frail1790
the world > space > shape > condition of being long in relation to breadth > slenderness > [adjective] > and weak or fragile
feeble1340
tender1390
lean1578
thread-paper1747
toylike1818
spindly1827
spindling1858
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 227 Hit is grat wonder þet hi lokeþ zuich ane fieblene castel ase hare fyeble body.
c1384 G. Chaucer Hous of Fame iii. 42 This were a feble fundament.
a1387 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden Polychron. (St. John's Cambr.) (1865) I. 235 Hem semede þat þe legges were to feble for to bere suche an ymage.
c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 322 The firste boon in a mannes necke is bounden with manye feble ligaturis.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (1839) vii. 80 Before the Chirche of the Sepulcre, is the Cytee more feble than in ony other partie.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) xii. l. 1010 Thus semblyt thai about that febill hauld.
1540 Act 32 Hen. VIII c. 18 Some houses be feble and very lyke to fall downe.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics i, in tr. Virgil Wks. 54 The Stem, too feeble for the freight. View more context for this quotation
1776 W. Withering Brit. Plants (1796) II. 16 Bunches lateral..stem feeble.
b. spec. with reference to a sword. [ < French faible: see B. 4]
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > sharp weapon > side arms > sword > [adjective] > weak or brittle
feeble1684
1684 R. Howlett School Recreat. 57 The feeble, weak or second Part is accounted from the Middle to the Point.
1809 J. Roland Amateur of Fencing 35 The fort part of your blade against the feeble part of your adversary's.
3. Lacking intellectual or moral strength.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > will > decision > irresolution or vacillation > inconstancy > [adjective] > weak in character or will
nesheOE
feeblec1200
softc1275
weaka1425
infirm1526
lithya1533
unheaded1577
spiritless1595
pappy1597
irresolute1600
marrowless1607
seducible1613
wax-nosedc1615
unsinewy?1623
reedy1628
swayable1642
short-spirited1647
weak-headed1654
lath-backed1676
will-less?1680
tiffany-trader1702
weak-minded1716
lax1751
lax-fibred1762
nerveless1783
wishy-washy1801
marcid1822
molluscous1836
boneless1848
weedy1849
putty-headed1857
flabby1862
weak-kneed1863
fibreless1864
invertebrate1867
chinless1881
backboneless1882
featherweight1885
spineless1885
weak-willed1885
totter-kneed1887
akratic1896
effete1905
weakling1906
gutless1915
willowish1919
Milquetoast1932
nannified1960
ball-less1967
c1200 Trin. Coll. Hom. 191 He..al te-secheð þat þone þe was er swo fieble.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xv. 341 Wherfore folke is þe feblere and nouȝt ferme of bilieue.
a1400–50 Alexander 1710 He þoȝt him sa feble, He dressis to him in dedeyne..a ball..þe barne with to play.
c1440 York Myst. xxiii. 169 Ȝe ffebill of faithe! folke affraied.
1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection i. sig. C.iiii We shulde nat be ignoraunt, feble & weke in these and all other thynges.
1639 Duke of Hamilton in Hamilton Papers (1880) 77 I shall neuer proue false or feeble.
1692 R. Bentley Boyle Lect. vi. 29 Though we be now miserable and feeble, yet we aspire after eternal happiness.
1828 T. Carlyle in Foreign Rev. 1 135 He was feeble, and without volition.
a1859 T. B. Macaulay Misc. Writings (1860) II. 107 Rigid principles often do for feeble minds what stays do for feeble bodies.
a. Wanting in resources; ill-supplied, poor. Const. of. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > poverty > [adjective] > poor
havelessOE
unrichOE
waedlec1000
armOE
nakedOE
helplessc1175
wantsomec1175
poora1200
barec1220
needfula1225
misease?c1225
unwealya1300
needyc1325
feeblec1330
poorful1372
mischievousc1390
miseasedc1390
indigentc1400
meanc1400
naughtyc1400
succourless1412
unwealthyc1412
behove1413
misterousa1425
misterfulc1480
miserablec1485
beggarly1545
starved1563
threadbare1577
penurious1590
fortuneless1596
wealthless1605
wantful1607
necessitous1611
inopulent1613
titheless1615
egene1631
starveling1638
necessitated1646
inopious1656
parsimonious1782
unopulent1782
lacking1805
bushed1819
obolary1820
ill-to-do1853
down at heel1856
po'1866
needsome1870
down-at-heeled1884
rocky1921
the mind > possession > non-possession > [adjective] > devoid of something > lacking or without > poorly supplied or equipped > specifically of persons
feeblec1330
insufficient1426
unpurveyeda1492
dispurveyeda1513
penurous1594
short1763
hard-run1834
lacking1868
c1330 (?a1300) Guy of Warwick (Auch.) p. 448 A feble lord þou seruest.
1487 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (St. John's Cambr.) xvi. 355 Tharfor he thoucht the cuntre was Febill of men.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. ccccxlviii. 791 The Duke of Aniowe began to wax feble, bothe of men and of money.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > insufficiency > [adjective] > limited in quantity or amount
narrowOE
poor?c1225
scarce1297
straitc1386
feeblea1513
scant1556
niggardly1564
slender1564
limited1590
scanted1594
sparing1602
scantled1604
stinted1629
exiguous1630
unlavished1635
scanty1658
unprofuse1727
costivea1734
incopious1734
niggard1751
jimp1768
skimped1839
stingy1854
restricted1856
niggard-measured1881
a1513 R. Fabyan New Cronycles Eng. & Fraunce (1516) II. f. cxxxv The sayd .iii. Astatys ordeynyd a more feble money than they before hadde made.
1562 W. Turner Bk. Natures Bathes Eng. f. 12, in 2nd Pt. Herball Ye may go to a feable diner.
a1592 R. Greene Frier Bacon (1594) sig. F2v I knew not of the friers feeble fare.
a. Of inferior quality, poor, mean. Often said of clothing, food, dwelling, etc. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > [adjective]
evil971
lowc1175
poor?c1225
feeblec1275
vilea1300
petty1372
unthende1377
secondary1386
petitc1390
unmeeta1393
illa1400
commonc1400
coarse1424
indigent1426
unlikelyc1450
lesser1464
gross1474
naughty1526
inferior1531
reprobate?1545
slender1577
unlikely1578
puny1579
under1580
wooden1592
sordid1596
puisne1598
provant1601
subministrant1604
inferious1607
sublunary1624
indifferent1638
undermatched1642
unworthy1646
underly1648
turncoated1650
female1652
undergraduate1655
farandinical1675
baddishc1736
ungenerous1745
understrapping1762
tinnified1794
demi-semi1805
shabby1805
dicky1819
poor white1821
tin-pot1838
deterior1848
substandard1850
crumby1859
cheesy1863
po'1866
not-quite1867
rocky1873
mouldy1876
low-grade1878
sketchy1878
midget1879
junky1880
ullaged1892
abysmal1904
bodgie1905
junk1908
crap1936
ropy1941
bodger1945
two-star1951
tripey1955
manky1958
schlocky1960
cack1978
wank1991
bowf1994
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > mediocrity > [adjective]
feeblec1275
demeanc1380
unnoblec1384
coarse1424
colourlessc1425
passable1489
meana1500
indifferent1532
plain1539
so-so1542
mediocre1586
ordinary1590
fameless1611
middling1652
middle-rate1658
ornery1692
so-soish1819
nohow1828
betwixt and between1832
indifferential1836
null1847
undazzling1855
deviceless1884
uncompetitive1885
tug1890
run of the mill1919
serviceable1920
dim1958
spammy1959
comme ci, comme ça1968
vanilla1972
meh2007
the world > relative properties > quantity > insufficiency > [adjective] > limited in quantity or amount > scanty or meagre
feeblec1275
straita1300
thinc1374
threadbarec1412
exile?1440
silly?a1500
pilled1526
thinnish1540
carrion-lean1542
carrion1565
exiled?1577
penurious1594
unnourishing1605
starveling1611
meagre1612
short-handed1622
lanka1644
scrimp1681
strigose1708
skimp1775
skimping1775
spare1813
shy1821
scrimping1823
skimpy1842
slim1852
scrappy1985
minnowy1991
c1275 Lutel Soth Serm. 41 in Old Eng. Misc. 188 Boþe heo makeþ feble heore bred and heore ale.
c1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 15/484 Vpon a seli asse he rod: in feble cloþes also.
1377 W. Langland Piers Plowman B. xv. 343 Þe merke of þat mone is good ac þe metal is fieble.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 23100 For here is febul abidynge.
c1420 Pallad. on Husb. i. 292 And fewe or feble grapes in the same Have growe.
1488 (c1478) Hary Actis & Deidis Schir William Wallace (Adv.) (1968–9) vi. l. 452 The man kest off his febill weid off gray.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > adversity > [adjective] > attended by or causing affliction
eileOE
soreOE
unselec1050
evilc1175
derfa1225
stourc1275
feeble1297
illa1325
fella1400
unhappya1400
unwealful1412
importunea1425
noisomea1450
shrewd1482
importunable?c1485
importunate1490
funestal1538
nippingc1550
troublesome1552
pinching1563
grievesome1568
afflicting1573
afflictive1576
pressing1591
lacerating1609
funest1636
funestous1641
gravaminous1659
unkind1682
plightful1721
damning1798
acanthocladous1858
damnatory1858
fraught1966
the mind > emotion > suffering > misery > [adjective] > of conditions or events
wretch1131
wretchedc1200
feeble1297
wrackfulc1311
woefula1393
miserousc1475
miserable?a1513
discomfortablea1535
calamitous1545
tristsum1567
woe1572
untoward1632
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 6125 Febleliche he liuede al is lif, & deyde in feble deþe.
?a1400 Chester Pl. (Shaks. Soc.) I. 224 In feable tyme Christe yode me froo.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 1438 Ffele folke forfaren with a ffeble ende.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > baseness > [adjective]
theowlikec1175
wickc1175
wretcha1200
lechera1300
vilea1300
feeblea1325
brothely1330
caitiffa1400
roinousa1425
basec1450
harlotry1486
filthy1533
brockish1546
vild1568
tinkerly?1576
scabbed?1577
miscreant1593
unnoble1593
slavish1597
rascally1600
roguish1601
sordidous1602
facinoriousa1616
scullion1658
dirty1670
shabbed1674
shabby1679
scoundrel1681
scabby1712
verminating1720
small1824
low-down1865
verminiferous1895
ragtime1917
ribby1936
raunchy1937
scungy1966
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > condition of being held in contempt > [adjective] > contemptible
unworthc893
unwrastc893
littleOE
narrow-hearteda1200
wretcha1200
unworthya1240
wretchedc1250
un-i-wrastc1275
bad1276
lechera1300
feeblea1325
despisablea1340
villain1340
contemptiblec1384
lousyc1386
caitiff1393
brothelyc1400
roinousa1425
poor1425
sevenpennyc1475
nasty1477
peakish1519
filthy1533
despectuous1541
beggary1542
scald1542
shitten?1545
disdainfula1547
contemptuous1549
despicable1553
skit-brained?1553
contemniblea1555
vile1560
sluttish1561
queer1567
scornful1570
scallardc1575
tinkerly?1576
worthless1576
beggarly?1577
paltry1578
halfpenny1579
dog bolt1580
pitiful1582
sneaking1582
triobolar1585
wormisha1586
baddy1586
dudgeon1592
measled1596
packstaff1598
roguey1598
roguish1601
contemptful1608
grovelling1608
lightly1608
disdainable1611
purulent1611
snotty-nose1622
vilipendious1630
cittern-headed1638
wormy1640
pissabed1643
triobolary1644
disparageable1648
blue-bellied1652
unestimable1656
scullion1658
piteous1667
dirty1670
shabbed1674
shabby1679
snotty1681
snotty-nosed1682
mucky1683
bollocky1694
scoundrel1700
scaldeda1704
sneaking1703
ficulnean1716
unsolid1731
pitiable1753
scrubby1754
inimitable1798
scrubbish1798
worm-likea1807
small1824
lowlife1827
ketty1828
skunkish1831
yellow-bellied1833
scaly1843
cockroachya1845
wutless1853
nigger1859
trashy1862
low-down1872
cruddy1877
shitty1879
tinhorn1886
blithering1889
motherfucking1890
snidey1890
pilgarlicky1894
shitass1895
shoddy1918
yah boo1921
bitching1929
shit-faced1932
turdish1936
fricking1937
jerk-off1937
chickenshit1940
sheg-up1941
snot-nosed1941
jerky1944
mother-loving1948
scroungy1948
fecking1952
pissant1952
shit-kicking1953
shit-eating1956
bumboclaat1957
rassclaat1957
shit-headed1959
farkakte1960
shithouse1966
daggy1967
dipshit1968
scuzzy1969
bloodclaat1971
bitch ass1972
wanky1972
streelish1974
twatty1975
twattish1976
dweeby1988
douchey1991
wank1991
cockish1996
society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > lack of magnanimity or noble-mindedness > [adjective] > base or vile
low?c1225
lechera1300
vilea1300
feeblea1325
unfreec1330
villain1340
wrackc1375
villains1390
noughty1443
slovenly?1518
peasant1550
sluttish1561
vild1567
knaifatic1568
scallardc1575
base1576
tinkerly?1576
beggarly?1577
cullion-like1591
brokerly1592
broking1592
ignoble1592
cullionly1608
disnoble1609
unsolid1731
lowly1740
blackguard1751
blackguardly1779
menial1837
low-flung1841
caddish1868
basilar1884
bounding1904
bounderish1928
a1325 (c1250) Gen. & Exod. (1968) l. 1072 Wicke and feble was here ðogt.
c1440 Gesta Romanorum (Add. MS.) xvii. 60 To fulfille her wille in feble dede.
6. Wanting in energy, force, or effect.
a. of natural agents, powers, qualities, or operations.
ΚΠ
1340 R. Rolle Pricke of Conscience 745 For-whi þe complection of ilk man Was sythen febler þan it was þan.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Trin. Cambr.) l. 1996 Now is for synne & pride of man þe erþe feblere þen hit was þan.
c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 221 Þan I tastide hir pous & it was wondir feble.
c1400 Lanfranc's Cirurg. 353 In feble men..þou muste use feble medicyns.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) v. iv. 35 The old, feeble, and day-wearied Sunne. View more context for this quotation
1671 R. Bohun Disc. Wind 14 Air alone might seeme able to create but a very feoble and languid Wind.
1700 J. Dryden Chaucer's Palamon & Arcite i, in Fables 6 Some faint Signs of feeble Life appear.
1719 G. London & H. Wise J. de la Quintinie's Compl. Gard'ner (ed. 7) v. iii. 99 We may have some feeble Branches on them.
1794 A. Radcliffe Myst. of Udolpho I. iv. 119 Her [sc. the moon's] light was yet too feeble to assist them.
1806 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 15 438 A feebler action of the poison.
1849 G. P. R. James Woodman I. v. 84 He has but feeble health.
b. of the mind, thoughts, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > weakness of intellect > [adjective] > of mind, thought, etc.
feeble1393
weak1423
unsubtlea1500
shallowc1595
uncapacious1635
unprofound1677
shoal1728
rickety1738
sicklya1771
inexcursive1837
no-brow1922
1393 W. Langland Piers Plowman C. ii. 183 Þat feith with-oute fet ys febelere þan nouht.
c1400 Mandeville's Trav. (Roxb.) xx. 92 My feble witte.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) 2 Esdras v. 14 My mynde was feble and carefull.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Comedy of Errors (1623) iii. ii. 35 My earthie grosse conceit: Smothred in errors, feeble, shallow, weake. View more context for this quotation
1651 T. Hobbes Leviathan iii. xxxiv. 214 My feeble Reason.
1836 J. Gilbert Christian Atonem. ix. 386 The thought of danger would possess but feeble power to resist temptation.
c. of actions, feelings, utterances, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > [adjective] > weak (of immaterial things)
thin?c1225
wateryc1230
feeble1393
wash1548
waterish1549
fadea1554
limping1577
dilute1605
lank1607
languid1622
water gruel1630
invalid1635
sinewless1644
exsanguine1647
flaccid1647
diluted1681
wishy-washy1693
tiffany1694
foible1715
rickety1738
faintly1771
unrobust1775
pale1820
peely-wally1832
muscleless1841
weakling1848
weedy?1858
feeblose1882
papery1924
1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis II. 318 That was a feble dede of armes.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Fairf. 14) l. 14849 A feble counsail ȝe do to dragh.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 3189 When the lede hade left of his speche, Fele of þe folke febull it thughten.
1574 J. Baret Aluearie F 325 Feeble orations made to the people, without spirite or life.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) ii. vii. 10 A true-deuoted Pilgrime is not weary To measure Kingdomes with his feeble steps. View more context for this quotation
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis viii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 452 Feeble are the Succours I can send.
1738 J. Wesley Coll. Psalms & Hymns (new ed.) ii. iv Shall all their feeble Threats deride.
1801 R. Southey Thalaba I. i. 14 Grief in Zeinab's soul All other feebler feelings overpowered.
1817 J. Mill Hist. Brit. India II. iv. v. 166 The brilliancy of the exploit had no feeble attractions for the imagination of Clive.
1840 C. Thirlwall Hist. Greece VII. 281 A feeble attempt was made by two generals.
1862 Ld. Brougham Brit. Constit. (ed. 3) xii. 164 The feeble conduct which lost Normandy.
1876 G. O. Trevelyan Life & Lett. Macaulay II. iii. 66 He proceeded to reply with a feeble and partial argument.
7. Of an effect, phenomenon, etc.: Faintly perceptible, indistinct.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sight and vision > invisibility > [adjective] > indistinct
dimc1000
blinda1398
undistingued1398
obscure?a1450
undistinct1495
shadowed1588
undistinguishable1600
shady1626
blear1637
filmed1637
indistinguishable1642
crepusculous1646
adumbrated1650
oblite1650
faint1660
monogrammous1678
blurred1701
faintish1712
wispya1717
adumbrant1727
muzzy1744
indistinct1764
fuzzy1778
misty1797
shadowy1797
undistinguished1814
woolly1815
vague1822
furzy1825
mystified1833
slurred1843
feeble1860
smudginga1861
filmy1864
smudgy1865
blurry1884
slurry1937
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps i. iii. 30 The effect became more and more feeble, until..it almost wholly disappeared.
1876 P. G. Tait Lect. Recent Adv. in Physical Sci. (ed. 2) ix. 215 The feeble bands which cross the comparatively dark space between the spectra.
8. quasi-adv.= feebly adv.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > [adverb] > without force or vigour
slacklyc960
feeblyc1330
remissly?a1425
faintlyc1440
weakly1526
punily1555
forcelessly1611
unvigorously1641
feeble1834
validless1866
1834 Tucker's Light of Nature Pursued (ed. 3) I. 202 Every one's experience may convince him how feeble she [sc. reason] acts unless [etc.].
B. n.† 2. Weakness, feebleness. Obsolete.Only in phrase for feeble, which may be explained as ellipsis = ‘For feeble that one is’; the substantival character of the sense is thus doubtful.
1. A feeble person. Quots. 1631 and 1826 refer to K. Henry IV, iii. ii. 179.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily weakness > [noun] > one who is weak
feeble1340
weakie1959
1340 Ayenbite (1866) 148 Þe guode man and þe wyse bereþ and uor~bereþ alneway þe foles and þe fiebles.
1631 T. Powell Tom of All Trades (New Shakspere Soc.) 157 The Taylor, who..had thrust himselfe in amongst the Nobilitie..and was so discovered, and handled..from hand to foot, till the Gaurd delivered him at the great Chamber door, and cryed, ‘farewell, good feeble!’
1826 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey II. iv. i. 155 The most forcible of feebles.]
1833 J. S. Mill Let. 10 July (1963) XII. 166 The consequence is they must take the feebles.
1844 B. Disraeli Coningsby I. i. v. 63 Italics, that last resource of the Forcible Feebles.
1896 Daily News 15 June 6/6 The forcible Feebles who control the destinies..of the Party.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily weakness > for weakness [phrase]
for feeblec1325
c1325 Coer de L. 778 That him ne thorst yt not wyte, For febyl his dynt to smyte.
a1400–50 Alexander 4280 Ne for na febill at we fele.
c1540 (?a1400) Destr. Troy 8704 Suche a sorow full sodenly sanke in his hert, þat he fainted for feble.
3. = foible n. 1.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > evil nature or character > [noun] > moral weakness > a moral weakness
debilitya1533
frailtya1616
weakness1645
foible1673
feeble1678
foiblesse1685
weak point1827
1678 A. Behn Sir Patient Fancy i. i. 3 You shall find 'em sway'd by some who have the luck to find their feables.
1694 R. L'Estrange Fables (ed. 6) ccccxcvi. 543 Every Man has his Feeble.
1824 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto XV xxii. 16 Modesty's my forte, And pride my feeble.
4. Fencing. The portion of a sword from the middle to the point; = foible n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > fighting sports > fencing > [noun] > foil > part of
button1598
prime1639
feeble1645
foiblea1648
fortea1648
stronga1648
sworda1648
weak1683
seconde1688
strength1702
1645 City Alarum 1 Ther's no good fencing without knowledge of the feeble of your Sword.
1776 G. Semple Treat. Building in Water 54 Like taking a Sword in the feeble of the Point.
1877 Blackie's Pop. Encycl. III. 325/2 It should always be the care of the swordsman to receive the feeble of the enemy's weapon on the forte of his own.
Compounds
Parasynthetic. C1.
feeble-bodied adj.
ΚΠ
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth VII. 180 The viper..is but a slow, feeble-bodied animal.
1814 W. Wordsworth Excursion viii. 368 Those gigantic powers..have been compelled To serve the Will of feeble-bodied Man. View more context for this quotation
feeble-eyed adj.
ΚΠ
1600 E. Fairfax tr. T. Tasso Godfrey of Bulloigne v. xii. 77 Weake Cupid was too feeble eide To strike him sure.
feeble-framed adj.
ΚΠ
1808 Cobbett's Weekly Polit. Reg. XIV. 193 The law gives him so much power over the poor feeble-framed creature.
feeble-hearted adj.
ΚΠ
?1548 J. Bale Image Bothe Churches (new ed.) i. sig. Giijv If thou be feble harted, saye: Lorde encrease my faythe.
1836 J. H. Newman et al. Lyra Apost. 139 Ere it reach Heaven's gate, Blows frustrate o'er the earth thy feeble-hearted prayer.
feeble-minded adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > weakness of intellect > [adjective]
sickc1340
dottlec1390
doting1489
dotish1509
feeble-minded1534
weak-brained1535
silly1568
fondish1579
lean-witted1597
soft1621
weaka1661
touched1697
muzzy-headed1798
defective1825
wanting1839
half-baked1842
dotty1860
knock-kneed1865
lean-minded1867
doddering1871
weak-minded1883
ninepence in the shilling1889
barmy1892
drippy1952
dipshit1968
the world > health and disease > mental health > mental illness > mental deficiency > [adjective]
witlessc1000
fonda1400
brainless1434
doitedc1450
feeble-minded1534
half-witted1712
fatuous1773
a screw loose1810
losta1822
balmy1851
a shingle short1852
retardate1912
mental1927
subcultural1931
psychological1952
1534 Bible (Tyndale rev. Joye) 1 Thess. v. 14 Comforte the feble mynded.
1892 Daily News 1 Mar. 3/3 The desirability of better provision being made for the care of ‘feeble-minded’ women.
1908 Rep. Royal Comm. Feeble Minded VIII. 324 in Parl. Papers (Cd. 4202) XXXIX. 159 ‘Feeble-minded’, i.e., persons who may be capable of earning a living under favourable circumstances, but are incapable from mental defect existing from birth or from an early age: (a) of competing on equal terms with their normal fellows; or (b) of managing themselves and their affairs with ordinary prudence.
1963 H. C. Barnard & J. A. Lauwerys Handbk. Brit. Educ. Terms 93 Feeble-minded, a term usually applied to those whose I.Q. is between 55 and 69.
feeble-winged adj.
ΚΠ
1634 J. Ford Chron. Hist. Perkin Warbeck i. sig. B4 Your goodnesse giue large warrant to..My feeble-wing'd ambition.
C2.
feeble-mindedness n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > weakness of intellect > [noun]
frailtyc1384
doting1440
barrenness1552
dottry1576
dotishness1598
feeble-mindedness1619
unfurniture1640
ungiftedness1647
flaccidity1778
weak-mindedness1854
flabbiness1883
touchedness1883
dottiness1885
barminess1896
dodderingness1915
moronism1922
the world > health and disease > mental health > mental illness > mental deficiency > [noun]
feebleness1340
feeble-mindedness1619
fatuity1621
amentia1793
unnaturality1823
oligophrenia1899
moronism1913
1619 W. Sclater Expos. 1 Thess. (1630) 481 The Nature of feeble-mindednesse.
a1846 E. Irving in Worcester Feeble-Mindedness.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
feeblev.
/ˈfiːbl/, U.S. /ˈfib(ə)l/ 1. intransitive. To become or grow feeble. Now archaic.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily weakness > become weak [verb (intransitive)]
woke993
unstrengea1225
feeble?c1225
windlec1325
enfeeblish1382
weaken?1541
spindle1863
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 272 Leoste hare licom febli to swiðe.
1297 R. Gloucester's Chron. (Rolls) 7785 King willam..bigan to febli vaste.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) ii. 387 On yaim on yaim yai feble fast.
1496 (c1410) Dives & Pauper (de Worde) i. viii. 39/1 In token that they ben endlesse & elden not, ne feble not.
1889 ‘M. Twain’ Connecticut Yankee xv. 182 Sir Gawaine's strength feebled and waxed passing faint.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > make less violent or severe [verb (transitive)] > weaken (something immaterial)
to thin off, downc900
feeblea1340
allayc1450
debilite1483
mollify1496
weak1502
geld?1507
water1529
appale?1530
labefact?1539
debilitate1541
mortify1553
effeeble1571
dilutea1575
soften1576
unsinew1599
melt1600
infringe1604
weaken1609
unbenda1616
dissinew1640
slacken1663
thin1670
resolve1715
imbecilitate1809
imbecile1829
to let down1832
to water down1832
the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily weakness > weakening > weaken [verb (transitive)]
unstrengea1225
unstrength?c1225
feeblea1340
affeeblea1400
weakc1400
affeeblishc1450
enfeeblisha1492
pallc1500
weaken1569
effeeblish?1572
unstrengthen1598
labefy1620
unnerve1621
unmasculate1639
unbrace1711
sinka1715
infirmize1751
slacken1778
exhaust1860
the world > action or operation > manner of action > lack of violence, severity, or intensity > make less violent or severe [verb (transitive)] > make less forceful or vigorous
extenuate1561
quay1590
retund1604
lower1666
weaken1683
subdue1723
feeble1831
soft-pedal1898
a1340 R. Rolle Psalter xvii. 40 Þai ere noght febild my steppis.
c1380 J. Wyclif Sel. Wks. III. 408 Þei shulde not feble þes rewmes.
c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 175 Thou infirmyst and feblist..the euydencis.
1516 Lyfe St. Birgette in Kalendre Newe Legende Eng. (Pynson) f. cxxiiv Woman what menest thou with thy great wepynge so to feble thy syght.
1546 T. Phaer Bk. Children (1553) S v a When a child neseth out of measure..the brayn and vertues animal be febled.
1590 E. Spenser Faerie Queene i. viii. sig. H And her [sc. a castle's] foundation forst, and feebled quight.
1614 G. Markham Cheape & Good Husbandry (1668) ii. xxxix. 83 A Shrew Mouse..if it only run over a Beast, it feebleth his hinder parts.
1646 E. Fisher Marrow Mod. Divin. (1752) i. 27 His Understanding was both feebled and drowned in darkness.
1831 Mirror XVII. 162/1 Every blow Is feebled with the touch of woe.
Derivatives
ˈfeebled adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > [adjective] > in state of ill health or diseased > weak > weakened
swundenc1275
yfebleda1387
palledc1390
forfeebled1513
indebilitate1529
macerate1541
feebled1573
macerated1587
eclipsed1607
enfeebleda1657
tenuinea1660
reduced1689
unstrung1690
indebilitated1696
unbraced1760
wrecky1925
1573 G. Gascoigne & F. Kinwelmersh Iocasta v. ii, in G. Gascoigne Hundreth Sundrie Flowres sig. Uii Then with hir feebled armes, she doth enfolde Their bodies both.
1597 A. Montgomerie Cherrie & Slae 212 My febillit [ed. 2 feiblit] eyis grewe dim.
a1625 J. Fletcher Wild-goose Chase (1652) i. iii. 9 'Tis true, ye are old, and feebled.
ˈfeebling n. and adj.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > [noun] > weakening or decline in health
failinga1382
sickeninga1382
wasting1398
downhielda1400
dissolutionc1400
debilitationa1492
defailing1502
effeeblishing1540
faintingc1540
effeeblishment1545
enervationa1575
feeblishing1574
declining1588
decay1609
flagging1611
labefaction1620
feebling1624
sinking1625
deading1645
dejection1652
fail1654
emperiment1674
decline1770
sapping1825
breakdown1858
attenuation1868
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > weakness of intellect > [adjective] > of soul, spirit, etc.
forfainted1566
appalled1574
feebling1624
washya1631
the world > life > the body > bodily constitution > bodily weakness > weakening > [noun]
weakening1548
weaking1559
feebling1624
the world > health and disease > ill health > [adjective] > in state of ill health or diseased > weak > making weak
weakeninga1586
feebling1624
languefying1651
debilitating1674
debilitative1682
depauperating1770
adynamical1798
enervating1821
prostrating1822
adynamous1828
debilitant-
1624 Trag. Nero iii. sig. E4 Peoples loue Could not but by this feebling ills be mou'd.
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. x. 461 Least by an impatient Minde, and feebling Spirit, I become my owne Murtherer.
1633 W. Struther True Happines 128 It is good that the body finde sometimes this feebling by the vigorous worke of the spirit.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1895; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
adj.n.c1175
v.?c1225- raise out
- raise sand
- raise the alarm
- raise the ante
- raise the bar
- raise the devil
- raise the laugh against
- raise the market
- raise the mischief
- raise the roof
- raise the tempo
- raise the wind
- raise to a power
- raise up a ghost
- raise-devil
- raise-velvet
- raiseable
- raiseabler
- raiseablest
- raised
- raised bands
- raised beach
- raised bed
- raised bog
- raised crust