imbecility

noun

im·be·cil·i·ty | \ ˌim-bə-ˈsi-lə-tē

plural imbecilities

Definition of imbecility

1a : the quality or state of being very stupid or foolish : utter foolishness … it seemed a very odd business, filled with illusions and delusions, at times noble to the point of imbecility and at other times base to the point of amorality.— Colleen McCullough also : futility

b : something that is foolish or nonsensical … his satire on the imbecilities and greed of politicians …— Nicholas Von Hoffman

2 dated, now offensive, see usage paragraph below : the condition of being affected with moderate intellectual disability

Synonyms Usage of Imbecility More Example Sentences Learn More About imbecility

Examples of imbecility in a Sentence

was arrested for the sheer imbecility of speeding down a dark road with no headlights on we were stunned by the imbecility of the ideas presented by this once-respected biologist

History and Etymology for imbecility

Middle English imbecillite "weakness of a body part, infirmity," borrowed from Middle French and Latin; Middle French imbecillité "weakness, feebleness, intellectual deficiency," borrowed from Latin imbēcillitāt-, imbēcillitās "physical or intellectual weakness," from imbēcillus "physically weak, feeble" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at imbecile entry 2