different between decrepit vs helpless

English

Alternative forms

• decrepid (obsolete)

Etymology

From Middle French décrépit, from Latin decrepitus (“very old”), from crepare (“to creak”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /d??k??p.?t/

Adjective

decrepit (comparative more decrepit, superlative most decrepit)

1. Weakened or worn out from age or wear.

Synonyms

• aged, timeworn, withered; see also Thesaurus:old or Thesaurus:deteriorated

Derived terms

• decrepitly
• decrepitude

Translations

Further reading

• decrepit at OneLook Dictionary Search

Anagrams

• depicter, precited, redepict

Romanian

Etymology

From French décrépit, from Latin decrepitus.

Adjective

decrepit m or n (feminine singular decrepit?, masculine plural decrepi?i, feminine and neuter plural decrepite)

1. decrepit

Declension

English

Etymology

From Middle English helples, from Old English *helpl?as (“helpless”) from Proto-Germanic *help?lausaz, equivalent to help +? -less. Compare Dutch hulpeloos (“helpless”), German hilflos (“helpless”), Swedish hjälplös (“helpless”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?h?lpl?s/
• Hyphenation: help?less

Adjective

helpless (comparative more helpless, superlative most helpless)

1. Unable to defend oneself.
   • 1995, Bryan Adams, Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?

     Then when you find yourself lyin' helpless in her arms

     You know you really love a woman

2. Lacking help; powerless.
3. Unable to act without help; needing help; feeble.
4. Uncontrollable.

   a helpless urge

5. (obsolete) From which there is no possibility of being saved.

   • For, while they fly that gulf's devouring jawes,
     They on the rock are rent and sunck in helplesse wawes.

Derived terms

• helplessly
• helplessness

Translations

Further reading

• helpless in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• helpless in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.