Definition: infirm

Search dictionary for

Source: WordNet (r) 1.7

infirm
     adj 1: confined to bed (by illness) [syn: bedfast, bedridden, bedrid,
             sick-abed]
     2: lacking physical strength or vitality; "a feeble old woman";
        "her body looked sapless" [syn: decrepit, feeble, sapless,
         weak, weakly]
     3: lacking firmness of will or character or purpose; "infirm of
        purpose; give me the daggers" - Shakespeare
     4: weak and feeble; "I'm feeling seedy today" [syn: debilitated,
         enfeebled, seedy]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Infirm \In*firm"\, v. t. [L. infirmare : cf. F. infirmer.]
   To weaken; to enfeeble. [Obs.] --Sir W. Raleigh.
Infirm \In*firm"\ ([i^]n*f[~e]rm"), a. [L. infirmus: cf. F.
   infirme. See In- not, and Firm, a.]
   1. Not firm or sound; weak; feeble; as, an infirm body; an
      infirm constitution.

            A poor, infirm, weak, and despised old man. --Shak.

   2. Weak of mind or will; irresolute; vacillating. ``An infirm
      judgment.'' --Burke.

            Infirm of purpose!                    --Shak.

   3. Not solid or stable; insecure; precarious.

            He who fixes on false principles treads or infirm
            ground.                               --South.

   Syn: Debilitated; sickly; feeble; decrepit; weak; enfeebled;
        irresolute; vacillating; imbecile.