different between blockhead vs imbecile

English

Alternative forms

• block head, block-head

Etymology

1549, block (“n.”) +? head.

Pronunciation

Noun

blockhead (plural blockheads)

1. (colloquial) A stupid person.
2. A sideshow performer who hammers nails or similar items through his or her nostril into the nasal cavity; human blockhead.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:idiot

Derived terms

• blockheaded
• blockheadess

Translations

Verb

blockhead (third-person singular simple present blockheads, present participle blockheading, simple past and past participle blockheaded)

1. To perform as a human blockhead.
2. (rare) To behave in a stupid manner.

Anagrams

• headblock

English

Etymology

From Middle French imbécile, from Latin imb?cillus (“weak, feeble”), literally “without a staff”.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?mb??si?l/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /??mb?s?l/, /??mb?s?l/

Noun

imbecile (plural imbeciles)

1. (obsolete) A person with limited mental capacity who can perform tasks and think only like a young child, in medical circles meaning a person who lacks the capacity to develop beyond the mental age of a normal five to seven-year-old child.
2. (derogatory) A fool, an idiot.

Usage notes

• In modern times, “imbecile” is often used in jocular insults.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:idiot

Derived terms

• imbecilic (adjective)
• imbecility (noun)

Translations

Adjective

imbecile (comparative more imbecile, superlative most imbecile)

1. (dated) Destitute of strength, whether of body or mind; feeble; impotent; especially, mentally weak.

   hospitals for the imbecile and insane