asthenic

American  

[as-then-ik] / æsˈθɛn ɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by asthenia; weak.

2. (of a physical type) having a slight build or slender body structure.

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noun

1. a person of the asthenic type.

asthenic British  

/ æsˈθɛnɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or having asthenia; weak

2. (in constitutional psychology) referring to a physique characterized by long limbs and a small trunk: claimed to be associated with a schizoid personality See also somatotype

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noun

1. a person having long limbs and a small trunk

Etymology

Origin of asthenic

1780–90; < Greek asthenikós, equivalent to asthen- ( asthenia ) + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

In a sense, this fear of drama comes off as latter generations’ asthenic corrective to the unrestrained classical cinephilic embrace of robust Hollywood-centric energies.

From The New Yorker • Feb. 2, 2016

There was robust George Romney, up with the dawn and jogging about the sun deck in his sneakers, later chiding asthenic reporters: "I was up while you fellows were still asleep."

From Time Magazine Archive

Straining to keep pace with a reputation that was already greening into myth, Bench hit only 27 home runs, and his batting average tailed off to an asthenic .238.

From Time Magazine Archive

Clustered mainly in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, off-Broadway's theaters exert the faintly exotic double lure of intellectual climbing and Bohemian slumming among asthenic men with beards and girls with Lady Godiva hairdos.

From Time Magazine Archive

On one occasion, after a spontaneous outburst of appreciation, he said in palliation of his enthusiasm, "Pardon me, but this is an asthenic age—and true-hearted men are rare."

From The Life of Sir Richard Burton by Wright, Thomas