invalidism

[ in-vuh-li-diz-uhm ]

noun

1. prolonged ill health.

invalidism

/ ˈɪnvəlɪˌdɪzəm /

noun

1. the state of being an invalid, esp by reason of ill health
2. a state of being abnormally preoccupied with one's physical health

Word History and Origins

Origin of invalidism¹

First recorded in 1785–95; invalid ¹ + -ism

Example Sentences

But though they offered unprecedented mobility, these wicker-and-wood chairs were seen as a sign of invalidism and dependence—and couldn’t have been more different from the modern wheelchairs that offer even more ways to move.

From National Geographic

A shortened period of invalidism is fully as important in maintaining the numerical strength of an army as is the keeping up of a supply of fresh reinforcements.

From Nature

Florence Nightingale and Elizabeth Barrett Browning used invalidism as a way to carve out time, space and mental freedom so that they could get on with reforming the Indian army and writing lyric verse respectively.

From The Guardian

At twenty-one, long before ill-fitting dentures and self-imposed invalidism, my grandmother was something of a beauty.

From Literature

She waited on her without complaint, but she managed subtly to extract from her the price of her invalidism.

From Literature