1. To make weak; to lessen the strength of; to deprive of strength; to debilitate; to enfeeble; to enervate; as,
to weaken the body or the mind; to weaken the hands of a magistrate; to weaken the force of an objection
or an argument.
Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done.
Neh. vi. 9. 2. To reduce in quality, strength, or spirit; as, to weaken tea; to weaken any solution or decoction.
Weaken
(Weak"en), v. i. To become weak or weaker; to lose strength, spirit, or determination; to become
less positive or resolute; as, the patient weakened; the witness weakened on cross-examination. "His
notion weakens, his discernings are lethargied." Shak.
Weakener
(Weak"en*er) n. One who, or that which, weakens. "[Fastings] weakeners of sin." South.
Weakfish
(Weak"fish`) n. (Zoöl.) Any fish of the genus Cynoscion; a squeteague; — so called from its
tender mouth. See Squeteague.
Spotted weakfish (Zoöl.), the spotted squeteague.
Weak-hearted
(Weak"-heart`ed) a. Having little courage; of feeble spirit; dispirited; faint-hearted. "Weak-
hearted enemies." Shak.
Weakish
(Weak"ish), a. Somewhat weak; rather weak.
Weakishness
(Weak"ish*ness), n. Quality or state of being weakish.
Weak-kneed
(Weak"-kneed`) a. Having weak knees; hence, easily yielding; wanting resolution. H. James.
Weakling
(Weak"ling) n. [Weak + - ling.] A weak or feeble creature. Shak. "All looking on him as a
weakling, which would post to the grave." Fuller.
We may not be weaklings because we have a strong enemy.
Latimer. Weakling
(Weak"ling), a. Weak; feeble. Sir T. North.
Weakly
(Weak"ly), adv. In a weak manner; with little strength or vigor; feebly.
Weakly
(Weak"ly), a. [Compar. Weaklier ; superl. Weakliest.] Not strong of constitution; infirm; feeble; as,
a weakly woman; a man of a weakly constitution.
Weak-minded
(Weak"-mind`ed) a. Having a weak mind, either naturally or by reason of disease; feebleminded; foolish; idiotic.
— Weak"-mind`ed*ness, n.
Weakness
(Weak"ness), n.
1. The quality or state of being weak; want of strength or firmness; lack of vigor; want of resolution or of
moral strength; feebleness.
2. That which is a mark of lack of strength or resolution; a fault; a defect.
Many take pleasure in spreading abroad the weakness of an exalted character.
Spectator. Syn. — Feebleness; debility; languor; imbecility; infirmness; infirmity; decrepitude; frailty; faintness.
Weal
(Weal) n. The mark of a stripe. See Wale.
Weal
(Weal), v. t. To mark with stripes. See Wale.
