different between feeble vs deficient

English

Etymology

From Middle English feble, from Anglo-Norman feble (“weak, feeble”) (compare French faible), from Latin fl?bilis (“tearful, mournful, lamentable”). Doublet of foible.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?fi?b?l/
• Rhymes: -i?b?l

Adjective

feeble (comparative feebler, superlative feeblest)

1. Deficient in physical strength

   Though she appeared old and feeble, she could still throw a ball.
2. Lacking force, vigor, or efficiency in action or expression; faint.

   That was a feeble excuse for an example.

Synonyms

• (physically weak): weak, infirm, debilitated
• (wanting force, vigor or efficiency): faint

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

feeble (third-person singular simple present feebles, present participle feebling, simple past and past participle feebled)

1. (obsolete) To make feeble; to enfeeble.

References

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

Anagrams

• beflee

Middle English

Adjective

feeble

1. Alternative form of feble

English

Etymology

From Latin deficiens, present participle of deficere (“to lack, fail, be wanting”); see defect.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /d??f???nt/
• Rhymes: -???nt

Adjective

deficient (comparative more deficient, superlative most deficient)

1. Lacking something essential; often construed with in.
2. Insufficient or inadequate in amount.
3. (mathematics) Of a number n, Having the sum of divisors ?(n)<2n, or, equivalently, the sum of proper divisors (or aliquot sum) s(n)<n.

Related terms

• defect
• defection
• defective
• defector
• deficiency
• deficit

Translations

Further reading

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

Catalan

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin d?fici?ns.

Pronunciation

• (Balearic) IPA^(key): /d?.fi.si?ent/
• (Central) IPA^(key): /d?.fi.si?en/
• (Valencian) IPA^(key): /de.fi.si?ent/

Adjective

deficient (masculine and feminine plural deficients)

1. deficient

Related terms

• deficiència

Further reading

• “deficient” in Diccionari de la llengua catalana, segona edició, Institut d’Estudis Catalans.

Latin

Verb

d?ficient

1. third-person plural future active indicative of d?fici?

Romanian

Etymology

From French déficient

Adjective

deficient m or n (feminine singular deficient?, masculine plural deficien?i, feminine and neuter plural deficiente)

1. deficient

Declension