weak

adjective Etymology: Middle English weike, from Old Norse veikr; akin to Old English wīcan to yield, Greek eikein to give way, Sanskrit vijate he speeds, flees Date: 14th century 1. lacking strength: as a. deficient in physical vigor ; feeble, debilitated b. not able to sustain or exert much weight, pressure, or strain c. not able to resist external force or withstand attack d. easily upset or nauseated <

a weak stomach

> 2. a. mentally or intellectually deficient b. not firmly decided ; vacillating c. resulting from or indicating lack of judgment or discernment d. not able to withstand temptation or persuasion <

the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak

> 3. not factually grounded or logically presented <

a weak argument

> 4. a. not able to function properly <

weak eyes

> b. (1) lacking skill or proficiency <

tutoring for weaker students

> (2) indicative of a lack of skill or aptitude <

history was my weakest subject

> c. wanting in vigor of expression or effect <

a weak translation of the poem

> 5. a. deficient in the usual or required ingredients ; dilute <

weak coffee

> b. lacking normal intensity or potency <

a weak radio signal

> <

a weak strain of virus

> 6. a. not having or exerting authority or political power <

weak government

> b. ineffective, impotent 7. of, relating to, or constituting a verb or verb conjugation that in English forms the past tense and past participle by adding the suffix -ed or -d or -t 8. a. bearing the minimal degree of stress occurring in the language <

a weak syllable

> b. having little or no stress and obscured vowel sound <

'd in he'd is the weak form of would

> 9. tending toward a lower price or value <

a weak market

> <

a weak dollar

> 10. ionizing only slightly in solution <

weak acids and bases

> • weakly adverb Synonyms: weak, feeble, frail, fragile, infirm, decrepit mean not strong enough to endure strain, pressure, or strenuous effort. weak applies to deficiency or inferiority in strength or power of any sort <

felt weak after the surgery

>. feeble suggests extreme weakness inviting pity or contempt <

a feeble attempt to walk

>. frail implies delicacy and slightness of constitution or structure <

a frail teenager unable to enjoy sports

>. fragile suggests frailty and brittleness unable to resist rough usage <

a reclusive poet too fragile for the rigors of this world

>. infirm suggests instability, unsoundness, and insecurity due to old age or crippling illness <

infirm residents requiring constant care

>. decrepit implies being worn-out or broken-down from long use or old age <

the dowager's decrepit retainers

>.