different between feeble vs wanting

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

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?w?nt??/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?w?nt??/
• Rhymes: -?nt??

Etymology 1

From Middle English wantyng, wantynge, wantand, equivalent to want +? -ing.

Adjective

wanting (comparative more wanting, superlative most wanting)

1. That wants or desires.
2. Absent or lacking.
   • 1813, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, Modern Library Edition (1995), page 171,

     […] but where other powers of entertainment are wanting, the true philosopher will derive benefit from such as are given.

3. Deficient.

Derived terms

• wantingly

Translations

Preposition

wanting

1. Without, except, but.
2. Less, short of, minus.

Verb

wanting

1. present participle of want

Etymology 2

From Middle English wantyng, wantynge, equivalent to want +? -ing.

Noun

wanting (countable and uncountable, plural wantings)

1. The state of wanting something; desire.
   • 2004, Joseph H. Casey S.J., Life, Love, and Sex

     Choice occurs only when we experience a conflict of wantings.