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Added 9 October 2026

weakness

/ˈwiːk.nɪs/ noun

In Latin: infirmitās, debilitās Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about weakness at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

The condition of being weak.
In a small number of horses, muscle weakness may progress to paralysis.
An inadequate quality; fault.
His inability to speak in front of an audience was his weakness.
A special fondness or obsessing desire.
She is an athlete who has a weakness for chocolate.

Origin

From Middle English weyknesse, replacing earlier Middle English wocnesse, wakenes, wacnesse (“weakness”), from Old English wācnes (“weakness”). Equivalent to weak + -ness.

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

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