Main Entry:
weak
Pronunciation: \ˈwēk\ Function:
adjective Etymology:Middle English
weike, from Old Norse
veikr; akin to Old English
wīcan to yield, Greek
eikein to give way, Sanskrit
vijate he speeds, fleesDate:14th century
1
: lacking strength: as a
: deficient in physical vigor
: feeble,
debilitated b
: not able to sustain or exert much weight, pressure, or strain c
: not able to resist external force or withstand attack d
: easily upset or nauseated <a
weak stomach>
2 a
: mentally or intellectually deficient b
: not firmly decided
: vacillating c
: resulting from or indicating lack of judgment or discernment d
: not able to withstand temptation or persuasion <the spirit is willing but the flesh is
weak>
3
: not factually grounded or logically presented <a
weak argument>
4 a
: not able to function properly <
weak eyes> b (1)
: lacking skill or proficiency <tutoring for
weaker students> (2)
: indicative of a lack of skill or aptitude <history was my
weakest subject> c
: wanting in vigor of expression or effect <a
weak translation of the poem>
5 a
: deficient in the usual or required ingredients
: dilute <
weak coffee> b
: lacking normal intensity or potency <a
weak radio signal> <a
weak strain of virus>
6 a
: not having or exerting authority or political power <
weak government> b
: ineffective,
impotent
7
: of, relating to, or constituting a verb or verb conjugation that in English forms the past tense and past participle by adding the suffix
-ed or
-d or
-t
8 a
: bearing the minimal degree of stress occurring in the language <a
weak syllable> b
: having little or no stress and obscured vowel sound <
'd in
he'd is the
weak form of
would>
9
: tending toward a lower price or value <a
weak market> <a
weak dollar>
10
: ionizing only slightly in solution <
weak acids and bases>