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Added 9 October 2026

feeble

/ˈfiːbəl/ adjective

In Latin: debilis, imbecillus, infirmus Wiktionary

adjective Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about feeble at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

Pathetically lacking in force or effectiveness.
a feeble excuse
Lacking strength or vigor.
damning with faint praise
Lacking bodily or muscular strength or vitality.
a feeble old woman

Origin

From Middle English feble, from Anglo-Norman feble (“weak, feeble”) (compare French faible), from Latin flēbilis (“tearful, mournful, lamentable”) by dissimilation, from fleō (“to weep, cry”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰleh₁-. Doublet of foible.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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