infirm

in·firm

adjective \in-ˈfərm\

Definition of INFIRM

1

: of poor or deteriorated vitality; especially : feeble from age

2

: weak of mind, will, or character : irresolute, vacillating

3

: not solid or stable : insecure

— in·firm·ly adverb

Examples of INFIRM

1. The clinic provides free care for elderly and infirm people who lack health insurance.
2. <the elderly and infirm have to be especially careful during the winter months>

Origin of INFIRM

Middle English, from Latin infirmus, from in- + firmus firm

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to INFIRM

Synonyms

asthenic, debilitated, delicate, down-and-out, effete, enervated, enfeebled, faint, feeble, frail, weak, languid, low, prostrate, prostrated, sapped, slight, soft, softened, tender, unsubstantial, wasted, weakened, wimpish, wimpy

Antonyms

mighty, powerful, rugged, stalwart, stout, strong

Related Words

challenged, disabled, incapacitated, invalid; paralyzed; broken-down, decrepit; impotent, powerless; breakable, flimsy, fragile; dizzy, groggy, rocky, unsteady, woozy; drained, exhausted, flagging, tired, weary, worn-out; damaged, harmed, hurt, impaired, injured, lame, unsound; resistless, susceptible, unresistant, vulnerable, yielding

Near Antonyms

able-bodied, athletic, beefy, brawny, fit, husky, muscular, sinewy, strapping, virile; hard, hardy, lusty, red-blooded, robust, sturdy, tough; fortified, hardened, inured, strengthened, toughened; energetic, energized, invigorated, vigorous, vitalized; hale, healthy, sound; capable, competent; convalescing, recovering, recuperating

See Synonym Discussion at weak

Other Medicine Terms

analgesia, angina, diabetes, hepatitis, homeopathy, logorrhea, palliate, pandemic

Rhymes with INFIRM

affirm, bagworm, bloodworm, bookworm, budworm, confirm, cutworm, deworm, dew worm, earthworm, eelworm, flatworm, glowworm, heartworm, hookworm, hornworm, inchworm, long-term, lugworm, lungworm, midterm, pinworm, ringworm, roundworm, sandworm, screwworm, short-term, silkworm, tapeworm, webworm, woodworm

in·firm

adjective \in-ˈfərm\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of INFIRM

: of poor or deteriorated vitality; especially : feeble from age