valetudinary

[ val-i-tood-n-er-ee, -tyood- ]

noun

, plural val·e·tu·di·nar·ies.

1. valetudinarian.

Word History and Origins

Origin of valetudinary¹

1575–85; < Latin valētūdinārius sickly, equivalent to valētūdin- (stem of valētūdō ) good or bad state of health ( valē ( re ) to be well + -tūdō -tude ) + -ārius -ary

Example Sentences

The Lady of Lochleven rose from the bedside, and darted a penetrating look at the elder valetudinary.

From Project Gutenberg

An adagio may set a gouty father to sleep, and a capriccio may operate successfully on the nerves of a valetudinary mother.

From Project Gutenberg

This attack gives a decidedly valetudinary tone to one of his subsequent letters to Deborah.

From Project Gutenberg