View synonyms for enervate

enervate

[ verb en-er-veyt; adjective ih-nur-vit ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

, en·er·vat·ed, en·er·vat·ing.

to deprive of force or strength; destroy the vigor of; weaken.
Synonyms: exhaust, sap, debilitate, enfeeble

adjective

enervated.

enervate

verb

tr to deprive of strength or vitality; weaken physically or mentally; debilitate

adjective

deprived of strength or vitality; weakened

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Derived Forms

ˈenerˌvator, noun
ˈenerˌvative, adjective
ˌenerˈvation, noun

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Other Words From

ener·vation noun
ener·vative adjective
ener·vator noun
non·ener·vating adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of enervate¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Latin ēnervātus “weakened” (past participle of ēnervāre “to weaken”), equivalent to ē- “from, out of” + nerv(us) “sinew” + -ātus adjective suffix; e- ¹, nerve, -ate ¹; compare Anglo-French enervir, French énerver

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Word History and Origins

Origin of enervate¹

C17: from Latin ēnervāre to remove the nerves from, from nervus nerve, sinew

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Example Sentences

This was the beginning of the fatal practice destined in the end to enervate France and demoralize the army.

From Project Gutenberg

Then as they are almost all fighting men (tata toa) they are restricted that they may not weaken or enervate themselves.

From Project Gutenberg

What is the use of wondrous gifts of language, if they are employed to enervate, p. 19and not to ennoble, their hearers?

From Project Gutenberg

To enervate, irritate, or corrupt the body is to produce a like effect upon the mind.

From Project Gutenberg

They are full of weaknesses and pains that wear out life and enervate all their mental and spiritual powers.

From Project Gutenberg

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