infirm

American  

[in-furm] / ɪnˈfɜrm /

adjective

1. feeble or weak in body or health, especially because of age; ailing.

   Synonyms:

   weak

   Antonyms:

   strong

2. unsteadfast, faltering, or irresolute, as persons or the mind; vacillating.

   infirm of purpose.

   Synonyms:

   indecisive

   Antonyms:

   strong

3. not firm, solid, or strong.

   an infirm support.

   Synonyms:

   unsteady, shaky, tottering, rickety, weak

   Antonyms:

   strong

4. unsound or invalid, as an argument or a property title.

   Synonyms:

   weak

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verb (used with object)

1. to invalidate.

infirm British  

/ ɪnˈfɜːm /

adjective

1. 1. weak in health or body, esp from old age

   2. ( as collective noun; preceded by the )

      the infirm

2. lacking moral certainty; indecisive or irresolute

3. not stable, sound, or secure

   an infirm structure

   an infirm claim

4. law (of a law, custom, etc) lacking legal force; invalid

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Other Word Forms

• infirmly adverb
• infirmness noun

Etymology

Origin of infirm

1325–75; Middle English infirme < Latin infirmus. See in- ³, firm ¹

Example Sentences

One glance at Betsie’s pallid face and fragile form, and the matron waved her contemptuously back inside the barracks where the elderly and infirm spent the day sewing prison uniforms.

From Literature

In early scenes, he has a small curved line denoting a chubby chin, which changes over time to straight lines on each cheek, narrowing his face when he is old and infirm.

From MarketWatch

The MoD has previously vowed to speed up the awards process after it was criticised for handling applications too slowly, particularly for elderly and infirm veterans.

From BBC

And the death of his elderly, infirm father, King Salman, could soon bring succession issues to the fore.

From The Wall Street Journal

Humanoid robots could assist the elderly or infirm.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• ailing
• anemic
• decrepit
• feeble
• frail
• ill
• insecure
• unstable