infirmadj.

Brit.

/ɪnˈfəːm/, U.S.

/ᵻnˈfərm/

Etymology: < Latin infirmus weak, feeble, etc., < in- in- prefix⁴ + firmus firm adj. Compare French infirme (16–17th cent., earlier enferme, enfer, etc.), Spanish enfermo, Italian infermo.

a. Of things: Not firm or strong; weak, unsound; esp. unable to resist pressure or weight, giving way easily, frail, ‘shaky’, feeble. Now rare.

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

c1374 G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Cambr.) v. met. ii. 119 The sonne..ne may..nat by the Infirme lyht of his beemes, brekyn or percen the inward entrailes of the erthe.

1624 J. Hewes Perfect Surv. Eng. Tongue sig. Aiv Those that build on sandie or infirme ground.

1638 W. Chillingworth Relig. Protestants i. i. §8. 36 A building cannot be stable, if any of the necessary pillars thereof be infirme and instable.

1703 J. Savage tr. Select Coll. Lett. Antients ii. 20 The World..in its Infancy..form'd an infirm Orb.

1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti Architecture I. 40/2 Ground, tho it does resist the Pick-axe,..may..be infirm.

1824 W. Scott Redgauntlet I. xiii. 307 The still more infirm state of his under garments.

b. transferred. Of arguments, titles, etc.: Weak, invalid; unsound. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > unreliability > [adjective] > insecure, weak

lithy1377

brucklea1400

flickering1430

queasy1459

weaka1538

infirm1557

slender1562

crazed1600

unsinewed1604

ticklish1606

touchy1620

crazied1652

flicketing1674

shaky1841

shackling1846

wonky1919

1557 Bible (Whittingham) Ep. *iv The Newe Testament..is so named in respect of y^e Olde, the which..was in it selfe infirme and vnperfect.

1659 J. Milton Considerations touching Hirelings 82 The reason which they themselves bring..becomes alike infirme and absurd.

1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ iii. ii. §10 This opinion..was built on the same infirm conclusions.

1844 Ld. Brougham Brit. Constit. v. 60 The infirm title of the House of Lancaster during the earlier portion of the period.

1952 Mind 61 83 Clearly the argument is infirm.

a. Of persons, with reference to physical condition: Not strong and healthy; physically weak or feeble, esp. through age; hence frequently old (or aged) and infirm. Also transferred of age.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > [adjective] > in state of ill health or diseased > weak

unmightyeOE

unferea1060

unwieldc1220

fade1303

lewc1325

weak1340

fainta1375

sicklyc1374

unwieldyc1386

impotent1390

delicatea1398

lowa1398

unmighta1450

unlustyc1450

low-brought1459

wearyc1480

failed1490

worn1508

caduke?1518

fainty1530

weak1535

debile1536

fluey1545

tewly?1547

faltering1549

puling1549

imbecilec1550

debilitate1552

flash1562

unable1577

unhealthful1595

unabled1597

whindling1601

infirm1608

debilitated1611

bedrid1629

washya1631

silly1636

fluea1645

tender1645

invaletudinary1661

languishant1674

valetudinaire?c1682

puly1688

thriftless1693

unheartya1699

wishy-washy1703

enervate1706

valetudinarian1713

lask1727

wersh1755

palliea1774

wankle1781

asthenic1789

atonic1792

squeal1794

adynamic1803

worn-down1814

totterish1817

asthenical1819

prostrate1820

used up1823

wankya1825

creaky1834

groggy1834

puny1838

imbeciled1840

rickety-rackety1840

muscleless1841

weedy1849

tottery1861

crocky1880

wimbly-wambly1881

ramshackle1889

twitterly1896

twittery1907

wonky1919

strung out1959

1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear i. 283 The..vnruly waywardnes, that infirme and cholericke yeares bring with them.

1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear ix. 20 A poore infirme weak & Despis'd ould man.

1693 W. Temple Mem. 1679 (R.) The present elector is old and infirm, and has, for some years past, deceived the world by living so long.

1727 J. Gay Fables I. xxxi. 104 With secret ills at home he pines, And, like infirm old-age, declines.

1773 Observ. State Poor 83 The aged and infirm who have settled habitations.

1805 W. Scott Lay of Last Minstrel i. Introd. 3 The Minstrel was infirm and old.

1832 H. Martineau Ella of Garveloch i. 8 Their father had been growing infirm for many years.

1832 J. R. McCulloch Dict. Commerce at Cotton Allowance being made for old and infirm persons, children, &c.

b. Of parts of the body. (†In early use: unhealthy, diseased).

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > [adjective] > in state of ill health or diseased > of parts

sick1340

infirma1616

vicious1615

wronged1634

the world > health and disease > ill health > [adjective] > in state of ill health or diseased > weak > of parts

weak?a1500

resolute?1570

shackling1790

infirm1820

shipwrecky1857

a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) ii. i. 167 What is infirme, from your sound parts shall flie.

1643 J. Steer tr. Fabricius Exper. Chyrurg. vii. 29 If the offended part be the arme or the leg, begin at the infirme part.

1820 P. B. Shelley Prometheus Unbound iv. i. 152 If, with infirm hand, Eternity..should free The serpent [etc.].

†c. absol. = invalid n. Obsolete. rare.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > sick person > [noun]

sickc888

lazar1340

sickmanc1340

laborant?a1425

suffererc1450

malade1483

patient1484

lazar-man1552

languisher1599

ruina1616

plaintiff1633

valetudinarist1651

valetudinaire?c1682

valetudinarian1703

invalid1709

infirm1711

invaletudinarian1762

valetudinary1785

complainant1861

aegrotant1865

degenerate1895

1711 Light to Blind in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. v. 184 The royal infirm is fully possessed of..patience at the shortness of his life.

3. Of persons, with reference to the mind: Not firm or strong in character or purpose; weak, frail, irresolute. Also of the mind, judgement, etc.

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

1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. CCii^v It is a token of an infyrme and weke herte, the subgette to discusse the commaundement of his prelate.

a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) ii. ii. 50 Infirme of purpose: Giue me the Daggers.

1641 J. Milton Reason Church-govt. 20 Let us think it worth the examining for the love of infirmer Christians.

1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 956 That on my head all might be visited, Thy frailtie and infirmer Sex forgiv'n.

1785 W. Cowper Task iii. 44 Too infirm, Or too incautious, to preserve thy sweets.

1841 I. D'Israeli Amenities Lit. II. 422 His judgment was the infirmest of his faculties.

1850 H. Martineau Introd. Hist. Peace II. v. ix. 344 He was..infirm of purpose.

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

infirmv.

Brit.

/ɪnˈfəːm/, U.S.

/ᵻnˈfərm/

Forms: Also Middle English inferm.

Etymology: < Latin infirmāre to weaken, invalidate, etc., < infirmus infirm adj.; compare French infirmer (Oresme, 14th cent.; earlier enfermer), Spanish enfermar, Italian infermare.

Now rare.

To make infirm.

†1. transitive. To make physically infirm or frail; to weaken, impair the strength of. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the world > health and disease > ill health > cause to be ill [verb (transitive)] > make weak

fellOE

wastec1230

faintc1386

endull1395

resolvea1398

afaintc1400

defeat?c1400

dissolvec1400

weakc1400

craze1476

feeblish1477

debilite1483

overfeeble1495

plucka1529

to bring low1530

debilitate1541

acraze1549

decaya1554

infirma1555

weaken1569

effeeble1571

enervate1572

enfeeble1576

slay1578

to pull downa1586

prosternate1593

shake1594

to lay along1598

unsinew1598

languefy1607

enerve1613

pulla1616

dispirit1647

imbecilitate1647

unstring1700

to run down1733

sap1755

reduce1767

prostrate1780

shatter1785

undermine1812

imbecile1829

disinvigorate1844

devitalize1849

wreck1850

atrophy1865

crumple1892

a1555 J. Bradford in J. Foxe Actes & Monuments (1570) III. 1836/1 If they be strong, you do what you can to infirme theyr strength.

1583 P. Stubbes Anat. Abuses sig. Hiv It infirmeth the sinewes.

1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica iv. v. 188 Herein the spleene is injustly introduced to invigorate the sinister side, which being dilated it would rather infirme and debilitate.

in extended use.1639 G. Chapman & J. Shirley Trag. Chabot v. sig. I^v Not those distempers that infirme my blood And spirits shall betray it to a feare.1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica i. v. 18 Our understandings being eclipsed, as well as our tempers infirmed, we must betake our selves to wayes of reparation. 1650 W. Brough Sacred Princ. 415 Nature is vanquisht..Her faculties infirm'd.

†2. To weaken (belief), impair the force of (an argument, reason, proof, etc.); to make less firm or certain; to render doubtful or questionable. Obsolete.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > insecure knowledge, uncertainty > questionable state or quality > render questionable [verb (transitive)]

infirmc1449

infirmate1657

problematize1910

c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 175 Thou infirmyst and feblist bi a greet deel the euydencis whiche thou hast and holdist aȝens the hauyng and the vsing of ymagis.

1563 N. Winȝet Certain Tractates (1888) I. 58 To infirm and adnull his awin cause rather than to strenthe the samin.

1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Oo2^v Socrates..professing to affirme nothing, but to infirme that which was affirmed by another.

a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) i. vi. 124 The Reason herein given doth not at all infirm the important Reason against the Eternity of Mankind.

3. To invalidate (a law, custom, privilege, etc.); to declare invalid, call in question. Now rare.

ΘΚΠ

society > law > rule of law > illegality > render illegal [verb (transitive)] > deprive of legal validity > deny the validity of

quash?a1400

disable1548

infirm1558

overrule1611

null1656

to set aside1765

to strike down1894

1558 J. Knox First Blast against Monstruous Regiment Women f. 22 This is a speciall lawe..whose sentence, lest it shulde be violated, infirmed, or made weake, women are commanded to be in silence.

1590 H. Swinburne Briefe Treat. Test. & Willes iv. f. 127 The vnhonest condition..doth either presently confirme or infirme the effect of the disposition.

1642 E. Dering Coll. Speeches on Relig. 27 I will neither inveigh upon them as unnamed Commissioners, nor infirme them as the work of a dead Convocation.

1644 W. Laud Wks. (1854) IV. 103 Mr. Vassal..desired the Lords he might have reparation, which altogether in law infirms that which he testified.

1890 Times 19 Feb. 5/4 The bad faith of the Habsburgs could not infirm Magyar rights.

Derivatives

inˈfirming n.

ΘΚΠ

the mind > mental capacity > memory > effacement, obliteration > cancellation, revocation > [noun] > rendering void or invalid

non-certificate1455

non-certifying1474

evacuating1594

infirming1612

evacuation1649

avoidinga1716

nullification1808

the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > unreliability > [noun] > weakness, instability > creation of

infirming1612

infirmation1808

1612 T. Taylor Αρχὴν Ἁπάντων: Comm. Epist. Paul to Titus i. 9 Tending to the conuerting and confirming of the tractable; or else the infirming and weakening of false doctrine.

1639 G. Digby in G. Digby & K. Digby Lett. conc. Relig. (1651) 58 To your infirming of those Ancient Authorities..it will be sufficient to put you in minde, that [etc.].

This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022).

单词	infirm
释义	infirmadj. Brit. /ɪnˈfəːm/, U.S. /ᵻnˈfərm/ Etymology: < Latin infirmus weak, feeble, etc., < in- in- prefix⁴ + firmus firm adj. Compare French infirme (16–17th cent., earlier enferme, enfer, etc.), Spanish enfermo, Italian infermo. 1. a. Of things: Not firm or strong; weak, unsound; esp. unable to resist pressure or weight, giving way easily, frail, ‘shaky’, feeble. Now rare. 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 c1374 G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Cambr.) v. met. ii. 119 The sonne..ne may..nat by the Infirme lyht of his beemes, brekyn or percen the inward entrailes of the erthe. 1624 J. Hewes Perfect Surv. Eng. Tongue sig. Aiv Those that build on sandie or infirme ground. 1638 W. Chillingworth Relig. Protestants i. i. §8. 36 A building cannot be stable, if any of the necessary pillars thereof be infirme and instable. 1703 J. Savage tr. Select Coll. Lett. Antients ii. 20 The World..in its Infancy..form'd an infirm Orb. 1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti Architecture I. 40/2 Ground, tho it does resist the Pick-axe,..may..be infirm. 1824 W. Scott Redgauntlet I. xiii. 307 The still more infirm state of his under garments. b. transferred. Of arguments, titles, etc.: Weak, invalid; unsound. Now rare. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > unreliability > [adjective] > insecure, weak lithy1377 brucklea1400 flickering1430 queasy1459 weaka1538 infirm1557 slender1562 crazed1600 unsinewed1604 ticklish1606 touchy1620 crazied1652 flicketing1674 shaky1841 shackling1846 wonky1919 1557 Bible (Whittingham) Ep. iv The Newe Testament..is so named in respect of y^e Olde, the which..was in it selfe infirme and vnperfect. 1659 J. Milton Considerations touching Hirelings* 82 The reason which they themselves bring..becomes alike infirme and absurd. 1662 E. Stillingfleet Origines Sacræ iii. ii. §10 This opinion..was built on the same infirm conclusions. 1844 Ld. Brougham Brit. Constit. v. 60 The infirm title of the House of Lancaster during the earlier portion of the period. 1952 Mind 61 83 Clearly the argument is infirm. 2. a. Of persons, with reference to physical condition: Not strong and healthy; physically weak or feeble, esp. through age; hence frequently old (or aged) and infirm. Also transferred of age. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > [adjective] > in state of ill health or diseased > weak unmightyeOE unferea1060 unwieldc1220 fade1303 lewc1325 weak1340 fainta1375 sicklyc1374 unwieldyc1386 impotent1390 delicatea1398 lowa1398 unmighta1450 unlustyc1450 low-brought1459 wearyc1480 failed1490 worn1508 caduke?1518 fainty1530 weak1535 debile1536 fluey1545 tewly?1547 faltering1549 puling1549 imbecilec1550 debilitate1552 flash1562 unable1577 unhealthful1595 unabled1597 whindling1601 infirm1608 debilitated1611 bedrid1629 washya1631 silly1636 fluea1645 tender1645 invaletudinary1661 languishant1674 valetudinaire?c1682 puly1688 thriftless1693 unheartya1699 wishy-washy1703 enervate1706 valetudinarian1713 lask1727 wersh1755 palliea1774 wankle1781 asthenic1789 atonic1792 squeal1794 adynamic1803 worn-down1814 totterish1817 asthenical1819 prostrate1820 used up1823 wankya1825 creaky1834 groggy1834 puny1838 imbeciled1840 rickety-rackety1840 muscleless1841 weedy1849 tottery1861 crocky1880 wimbly-wambly1881 ramshackle1889 twitterly1896 twittery1907 wonky1919 strung out1959 1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear i. 283 The..vnruly waywardnes, that infirme and cholericke yeares bring with them. View more context for this quotation 1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear ix. 20 A poore infirme weak & Despis'd ould man. View more context for this quotation 1693 W. Temple Mem. 1679 (R.) The present elector is old and infirm, and has, for some years past, deceived the world by living so long. 1727 J. Gay Fables I. xxxi. 104 With secret ills at home he pines, And, like infirm old-age, declines. 1773 Observ. State Poor 83 The aged and infirm who have settled habitations. 1805 W. Scott Lay of Last Minstrel i. Introd. 3 The Minstrel was infirm and old. 1832 H. Martineau Ella of Garveloch i. 8 Their father had been growing infirm for many years. 1832 J. R. McCulloch Dict. Commerce at Cotton Allowance being made for old and infirm persons, children, &c. b. Of parts of the body. (†In early use: unhealthy, diseased). ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > [adjective] > in state of ill health or diseased > of parts sick1340 infirma1616 vicious1615 wronged1634 the world > health and disease > ill health > [adjective] > in state of ill health or diseased > weak > of parts weak?a1500 resolute?1570 shackling1790 infirm1820 shipwrecky1857 a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) ii. i. 167 What is infirme, from your sound parts shall flie. View more context for this quotation 1643 J. Steer tr. Fabricius Exper. Chyrurg. vii. 29 If the offended part be the arme or the leg, begin at the infirme part. 1820 P. B. Shelley Prometheus Unbound iv. i. 152 If, with infirm hand, Eternity..should free The serpent [etc.]. †c. absol. = invalid n. Obsolete. rare. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > sick person > [noun] sickc888 lazar1340 sickmanc1340 laborant?a1425 suffererc1450 malade1483 patient1484 lazar-man1552 languisher1599 ruina1616 plaintiff1633 valetudinarist1651 valetudinaire?c1682 valetudinarian1703 invalid1709 infirm1711 invaletudinarian1762 valetudinary1785 complainant1861 aegrotant1865 degenerate1895 1711 Light to Blind in 10th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1885) App. v. 184 The royal infirm is fully possessed of..patience at the shortness of his life. 3. Of persons, with reference to the mind: Not firm or strong in character or purpose; weak, frail, irresolute. Also of the mind, judgement, etc. 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 1526 W. Bonde Pylgrimage of Perfection iii. sig. CCii^v It is a token of an infyrme and weke herte, the subgette to discusse the commaundement of his prelate. a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) ii. ii. 50 Infirme of purpose: Giue me the Daggers. View more context for this quotation 1641 J. Milton Reason Church-govt. 20 Let us think it worth the examining for the love of infirmer Christians. 1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost x. 956 That on my head all might be visited, Thy frailtie and infirmer Sex forgiv'n. View more context for this quotation 1785 W. Cowper Task iii. 44 Too infirm, Or too incautious, to preserve thy sweets. 1841 I. D'Israeli Amenities Lit. II. 422 His judgment was the infirmest of his faculties. 1850 H. Martineau Introd. Hist. Peace II. v. ix. 344 He was..infirm of purpose. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022). infirmv. Brit. /ɪnˈfəːm/, U.S. /ᵻnˈfərm/ Forms: Also Middle English inferm. Etymology: < Latin infirmāre to weaken, invalidate, etc., < infirmus infirm adj.; compare French infirmer (Oresme, 14th cent.; earlier enfermer), Spanish enfermar, Italian infermare. Now rare. To make infirm. †1. transitive. To make physically infirm or frail; to weaken, impair the strength of. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the world > health and disease > ill health > cause to be ill [verb (transitive)] > make weak fellOE wastec1230 faintc1386 endull1395 resolvea1398 afaintc1400 defeat?c1400 dissolvec1400 weakc1400 craze1476 feeblish1477 debilite1483 overfeeble1495 plucka1529 to bring low1530 debilitate1541 acraze1549 decaya1554 infirma1555 weaken1569 effeeble1571 enervate1572 enfeeble1576 slay1578 to pull downa1586 prosternate1593 shake1594 to lay along1598 unsinew1598 languefy1607 enerve1613 pulla1616 dispirit1647 imbecilitate1647 unstring1700 to run down1733 sap1755 reduce1767 prostrate1780 shatter1785 undermine1812 imbecile1829 disinvigorate1844 devitalize1849 wreck1850 atrophy1865 crumple1892 a1555 J. Bradford in J. Foxe Actes & Monuments (1570) III. 1836/1 If they be strong, you do what you can to infirme theyr strength. 1583 P. Stubbes Anat. Abuses sig. Hiv It infirmeth the sinewes. 1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica iv. v. 188 Herein the spleene is injustly introduced to invigorate the sinister side, which being dilated it would rather infirme and debilitate. View more context for this quotation in extended use.1639 G. Chapman & J. Shirley Trag. Chabot v. sig. I^v Not those distempers that infirme my blood And spirits shall betray it to a feare.1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica i. v. 18 Our understandings being eclipsed, as well as our tempers infirmed, we must betake our selves to wayes of reparation. View more context for this quotation1650 W. Brough Sacred Princ. 415 Nature is vanquisht..Her faculties infirm'd. †2. To weaken (belief), impair the force of (an argument, reason, proof, etc.); to make less firm or certain; to render doubtful or questionable. Obsolete. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > insecure knowledge, uncertainty > questionable state or quality > render questionable [verb (transitive)] infirmc1449 infirmate1657 problematize1910 c1449 R. Pecock Repressor (1860) 175 Thou infirmyst and feblist bi a greet deel the euydencis whiche thou hast and holdist aȝens the hauyng and the vsing of ymagis. 1563 N. Winȝet Certain Tractates (1888) I. 58 To infirm and adnull his awin cause rather than to strenthe the samin. 1605 F. Bacon Of Aduancem. Learning ii. sig. Oo2^v Socrates..professing to affirme nothing, but to infirme that which was affirmed by another. View more context for this quotation a1676 M. Hale Primitive Originat. Mankind (1677) i. vi. 124 The Reason herein given doth not at all infirm the important Reason against the Eternity of Mankind. 3. To invalidate (a law, custom, privilege, etc.); to declare invalid, call in question. Now rare. ΘΚΠ society > law > rule of law > illegality > render illegal [verb (transitive)] > deprive of legal validity > deny the validity of quash?a1400 disable1548 infirm1558 overrule1611 null1656 to set aside1765 to strike down1894 1558 J. Knox First Blast against Monstruous Regiment Women f. 22 This is a speciall lawe..whose sentence, lest it shulde be violated, infirmed, or made weake, women are commanded to be in silence. 1590 H. Swinburne Briefe Treat. Test. & Willes iv. f. 127 The vnhonest condition..doth either presently confirme or infirme the effect of the disposition. 1642 E. Dering Coll. Speeches on Relig. 27 I will neither inveigh upon them as unnamed Commissioners, nor infirme them as the work of a dead Convocation. 1644 W. Laud Wks. (1854) IV. 103 Mr. Vassal..desired the Lords he might have reparation, which altogether in law infirms that which he testified. 1890 Times 19 Feb. 5/4 The bad faith of the Habsburgs could not infirm Magyar rights. Derivatives inˈfirming n. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > memory > effacement, obliteration > cancellation, revocation > [noun] > rendering void or invalid non-certificate1455 non-certifying1474 evacuating1594 infirming1612 evacuation1649 avoidinga1716 nullification1808 the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > unreliability > [noun] > weakness, instability > creation of infirming1612 infirmation1808 1612 T. Taylor Αρχὴν Ἁπάντων: Comm. Epist. Paul to Titus i. 9 Tending to the conuerting and confirming of the tractable; or else the infirming and weakening of false doctrine. 1639 G. Digby in G. Digby & K. Digby Lett. conc. Relig. (1651) 58 To your infirming of those Ancient Authorities..it will be sufficient to put you in minde, that [etc.]. This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online March 2022). < adj.c1374v.c1449
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