feeble

[fee-buh l] /ˈfi bəl/

adjective, feebler, feeblest.

physically weak, as from age or sickness; frail.

weak intellectually or morally:

a feeble mind.

lacking in volume, loudness, brightness, distinctness, etc.:

a feeble voice; feeble light.

lacking in force, strength, or effectiveness:

feeble resistance; feeble arguments.

Origin

1125-75; Middle English feble < Old French, variant of fleible (by dissimilation) < Latin flēbilis lamentable, equivalent to flē(re) to weep + -bilis -ble

Related forms

feebleness, noun

feeblish, adjective

feebly, adverb

nonfeeble, adjective

nonfeebleness, noun

nonfeebly, adverb

unfeeble, adjective

unfeebleness, noun

unfeebly, adverb

Synonyms

1. See weak.

Examples from the web for feeble

My ability is feeble, but my responsibilities are great.
Nay, much more those members of the body which seem to be more feeble.
Next to that consummation, a cake on a rake is a pretty feeble entertainment.
If you are appreciated as a research star, people will talk up your teaching and admin no matter how feeble.
So here is my feeble effort at some kind of recognition.
The timetables should be regarded as feeble attempts at humour written by overworked bureaucratic underlings.
No more feeble beams that don't work outside, or over-sensitive sensors that record random hits.
The stereo speakers along the bottom edge are feeble.
In fact, electric motors produce lots of torque, so even those with feeble horsepower can be quick off the line.
You've done us and our kids a fine service by exposing his feeble, reactionary comments to the cold light of reality.

British Dictionary definitions for feeble

feeble

/ˈfiːbəl/

adjective

lacking in physical or mental strength; frail; weak

inadequate; unconvincing: feeble excuses

easily influenced or indecisive

Derived Forms

feebleness, noun
feebly, adverb

Word Origin

C12: from Old French feble, fleible, from Latin flēbilis to be lamented, from flēre to weep

Word Origin and History for feeble

adj.

late 12c., from Old French feble (12c., Modern French faible) "weak, feeble," from Latin flebilis "lamentable," literally "that is to be wept over," from flere "weep, cry, shed tears, lament," from PIE *bhle- "to howl" (cf. bleat). The first -l- was dropped in Old French by dissimilation. The noun meaning "feeble person" is recorded from mid-14c.