feeble-minded

[ fee-buhl-mahyn-did ]

adjective

1. lacking the normal mental powers.
2. Medicine/Medical. (no longer in technical use) mentally deficient.
3. stupid or foolish; not sensible:

   feeble-minded remarks.

4. Archaic. lacking firmness of mind; indecisive.

feeble-minded

adjective

1. lacking in intelligence; stupid
2. mentally defective
3. lacking decision; irresolute

Derived Forms

• ˌfeeble-ˈmindedly, adverb
• ˌfeeble-ˈmindedness, noun

Other Words From

• feeble-minded·ly adverb
• feeble-minded·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of feeble-minded¹

First recorded in 1525–35

Example Sentences

Among the “defects” of others on the survey were wanderer, illiterate, feeble-minded, liar, deserted husband, town pauper, obstinate, alcoholic and bearer of stillborn twins.

From Seattle Times

The eviction by the state was a catastrophe: Eight islanders were committed to the Maine School for the Feeble-Minded, according to the Maine Coast Heritage Trust.

From New York Times

Eleanor, who was born with cerebral palsy and a seizure disorder, dies only a year after her parents reluctantly send her to the Walter E. Fernald State School, once known as the Massachusetts School for the Feeble-Minded.

From New York Times

In other instances, it could be due to a "sick-leader syndrome," in which dolphins unwittingly follow an older, confused and feeble-minded dolphin to their death.

From Salon

They devised a plan that pits the former president squarely against his successor, President Biden, who Mr. Trump will define as a feeble-minded octogenarian who has dragged the United States into a ditch and is too weak to lead the nation out of it.

From Washington Times