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Infirm

 - 5 dictionary results

in⋅firm

  [in-furm]
Use Infirm in a Sentence
–adjective
1. feeble or weak in body or health, esp. because of age; ailing.
2. unsteadfast, faltering, or irresolute, as persons or the mind; vacillating: infirm of purpose.
3. not firm, solid, or strong: an infirm support.
4. unsound or invalid, as an argument or a property title.
–verb (used with object)
5. to invalidate.
Origin:
1325–75; ME infirme < L infirmus. See in- 3 , firm 1

Related forms:
in⋅firm⋅ly, adverb
in⋅firm⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1, 3, 4. weak. 2. wavering, indecisive. 3. rickety, tottering, shaky, unsteady.

Antonyms:
1, 2, 3. strong.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Infirm
in·firm   (ĭn-fûrm')   
adj.  

  1. Weak in body, especially from old age or disease; feeble. See Synonyms at weak.

  2. Lacking firmness of will, character, or purpose; irresolute.

  3. Not strong or stable; shaky: an infirm support.


[Middle English infirme, from Old French, from Latin īnfirmus : in-, not; see in-1 + firmus, strong, firm; see dher- in Indo-European roots.]
in·firm'ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

infirm 
c.1374, "weak, unsound" (of things), from L. infirmus "weak, frail," from in- "not" + firmus (see firm (adj.)). Of persons, "not strong, unhealthy," first recorded 1605.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: in·firm
Pronunciation: in-'f&rm
Function: adjective
: of poor or deteriorated vitality; especially : feeble from age
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

infirm in·firm (ĭn-fûrm')
adj.
Weak in body, especially from old age or disease; feeble.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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