Infirm

Infirm
Infirm In*firm" ([i^]n*f[~e]rm"), a. [L. infirmus: cf. F. infirme. See {In-} not, and {Firm}, a.] 1. Not firm or sound; weak; feeble; as, an infirm body; an infirm constitution. [1913 Webster]

A poor, infirm, weak, and despised old man. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

2. Weak of mind or will; irresolute; vacillating. ``An infirm judgment.'' --Burke. [1913 Webster]

Infirm of purpose! --Shak. [1913 Webster]

3. Not solid or stable; insecure; precarious. [1913 Webster]

He who fixes on false principles treads or infirm ground. --South.

Syn: Debilitated; sickly; feeble; decrepit; weak; enfeebled; irresolute; vacillating; imbecile. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • infirm — INFÍRM, Ă, infirmi, e, adj., s.m. şi f. (Persoană) care are o infirmitate; schilod, neputincios, invalid, beteag. – Din fr. infirme, lat. infirmus. Trimis de valeriu, 13.09.2007. Sursa: DEX 98  Infirm ≠ valid, întreg, teafăr Trimis de siveco, 03 …   Dicționar Român

  • infirm — I (irresolute) adjective changeable, easily led, faint hearted, faltering, fickle, inconstant, indecisive insecure, pliable, precarious, undecided, undetermined, unreliable, unresolved, unstable, unsteady, untrustworthy, vacillating, wavering II… …   Law dictionary

  • infirm — [in fʉrm′] adj. [ME < L infirmus] 1. not firm or strong physically; weak; feeble, as from old age 2. not firm in mind or purpose; not resolute; vacillating 3. not stable, firm, or sound; frail; shaky, as a structure 4. not secure or valid [an… …   English World dictionary

  • Infirm — In*firm , v. t. [L. infirmare : cf. F. infirmer.] To weaken; to enfeeble. [Obs.] Sir W. Raleigh. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Infirm — (v. lat.), schwach, kraftlos. Infirmiren, schwächen, entkräften, ungiltig machen. Infirmativ, schwächend, ungiltig machend. Daher Infirmität, 1) Schwäche, Unvermögen, Gebrechen; 2) Infirmitäten, Beinkleider u. Vorrichtungen, wodurch Geistliche u …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Infirm — Infirm, lat. deutsch, schwach, krank; infirmarium, Krankenhaus od. Krankenstube; i.iren, entkräften; ungiltig machen; i.ativ, ungiltig machend; I.ität, Schwäche, Krankheit …   Herders Conversations-Lexikon

  • infirm — (adj.) late 14c., weak, unsound (of things), from L. infirmus weak, frail, feeble (figuratively superstitious, pusillanimous, inconstant ), from in not, opposite of (see IN (Cf. in ) (1)) + firmus (see FIRM (Cf. firm) (adj.)). Of persons, not… …   Etymology dictionary

  • infirm — feeble, decrepit, *weak, frail, fragile Analogous words: debilitated, disabled, crippled (see WEAKEN) Antonyms: hale Contrasted words: *strong, sturdy, stalwart, stout: *healthy, robust, sound …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • infirm — [adj] sick, weak ailing, anemic, anile, debilitated, decrepit, delicate, enfeebled, failing, faint, faltering, feeble, flimsy, fragile, frail, halting, ill, insecure, irresolute, laid low*, lame, sensile, shaky, unsound, unstable, unsubstantial,… …   New thesaurus

  • infirm — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ physically weak. ORIGIN Latin infirmus, from in not + firmus firm …   English terms dictionary

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