labefaction

[ lab-uh-fak-shuhn ]

noun

1. a shaking or weakening; overthrow or downfall.

labefaction

/ ˌlæbɪfækˈteɪʃən; ˌlæbɪˈfækʃən /

noun

1. rare.
   deterioration; weakening

Word History and Origins

Origin of labefaction¹

1610–20; < Late Latin labefactiōn- (stem of labefactiō ), equivalent to labefact ( us ) (past participle of labefacere to loosen) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of labefaction¹

C17: from Late Latin labefactiō, from Latin labefacere shake, from lābī to fall + facere to make

Example Sentences

Labefaction, lab-e-fak′shun, n. a weakening decay—also Labefactā′tion.—v.t.

From Project Gutenberg

"The Government is confident that the foregoing general ruling will enable junior and inexperienced officers, temporarily employed on famine duty, to classify appropriately and with facility as denticulate or edentulous all individuals afflicted with dental hiatus, mal-conformation and labefaction, without further reference to higher authority."

From Project Gutenberg