different between feeble vs unsound

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

un- +? sound.

Pronunciation

• enPR: ?n-sound?, IPA^(key): /??n?sa?nd/
• Rhymes: -a?nd

Adjective

unsound (comparative more unsound or unsounder, superlative most unsound or unsoundest)

1. Not sound, particularly:
   1. Not whole, not solid, defective.
   2. (especially of equestrianism) Infirm, diseased.
   3. (Britain, especially of people) Not good, unreliable.
      • 1919, P.G. Wodehouse, My Man Jeeves:

        You would not like Nietzsche, sir. He is fundamentally unsound.

Antonyms

• sound

Derived terms

• unsoundly
• unsoundness