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Webster 1913 Edition


Debility

De-bil′i-ty

,
Noun.
[L.
debilitas
, fr.
debilis
weak, prob. fr.
de-
+
habilis
able: cf. F.
débilité
. See
Able
,
Adj.
]
The state of being weak; weakness; feebleness; languor.
An infirmity belongs, for the most part, to particular members, and is often temporary, as of the eyes, etc. Debility is more general, and while it lasts impairs the ordinary functions of nature. Imbecility attaches to the whole frame, and renders it more or less powerless. Debility may be constitutional or may be the result or superinduced causes; Imbecility is always constitutional; infirmity is accidental, and results from sickness or a decay of the frame. These words, in their figurative uses, have the same distinctions; we speak of infirmity of will, debility of body, and an Imbecility which affects the whole man; but Imbecility is often used with specific reference to feebleness of mind.

Webster 1828 Edition


Debility

DEBIL'ITY

,
Noun.
Relaxation of the solids; weakness; feebleness; languor of body; faintness; imbecility; as, morbid sweats induce debility.
DEB'IT, n. [L. debitum, from debeo, to owe.] Debt. It is usually written debt. But it is used in mercantile language, as the debit side of an account.
DEB'IT, v.t.

Definition 2024


debility

debility

English

Noun

debility (plural debilities)

  1. A state of physical or mental weakness.
    • 1886, Robert Louis Stephenson, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde:
      I was struck besides with the shocking expression of his face, with his remarkable combination of great muscular activity and great apparent debility of constitution

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