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sickliness

 - 3 dictionary results

sick⋅ly

[sik-lee] adjective, -li⋅er, -li⋅est, adverb, verb, -lied, -ly⋅ing.
–adjective
1. not strong; unhealthy; ailing.
2. of, connected with, or arising from ill health: a sickly complexion.
3. marked by the prevalence of ill health, as a region: the epidemic left the town sickly.
4. causing sickness.
5. nauseating.
6. maudlin and insipid; mawkish: sickly sentimentality.
7. faint or feeble, as light or color.
–adverb
8. in a sick or sickly manner.
–verb (used with object)
9. to cover with a sickly hue.

Origin:
1300–50; ME siklich, sekly (adj.). See sick 1 , -ly


sick⋅li⋅ness, noun


1. frail, weak, puny, sick, feeble, infirm.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To sickliness
sick·ly   (sĭk'lē)   
adj.   sick·li·er, sick·li·est
  1. Prone to sickness.

  2. Of, caused by, or associated with sickness: a sickly pallor.

  3. Conducive to sickness: a sickly climate.

  4. Causing nausea; nauseating.

  5. Lacking vigor or strength; feeble or weak: a sickly handshake.

tr.v.   sick·lied, sick·ly·ing, sick·lies
To make sickly: "Timidity . . . sicklies the whole cast of thought in action" (Henry Adams).
sick'li·ness n., sick'ly, sick'li·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.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: sick·ly
Pronunciation: 'sik-lE
Function: adjective
1 : somewhat unwell; also : habitually ailing sickly child>
2 : produced by or associated with sickness sickly complexion> sickly appetite>
3 : producing ortending to produce disease
sickly climate>
4 : tending to produce nausea
sickly odor>
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