different between feeble vs worn

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

By analogy to past participles like torn from tear and sworn from swear.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /w??n/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /w??n/
• (rhotic, without the horse–hoarse merger) IPA^(key): /wo(?)?n/
• (non-rhotic, without the horse–hoarse merger) IPA^(key): /wo?n/
• Rhymes: -??(?)n
• Homophone: warn (accents with the horse-hoarse merger)

Adjective

worn (comparative more worn, superlative most worn)

1. damaged and shabby as a result of much use

Translations

Verb

worn

1. past participle of wear

Derived terms

• forworn
• outworn
• worn out

Anagrams

• Norw., rown

Middle English

Verb

worn

1. Alternative form of weren

Old English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /worn/, [wor?n]

Noun

worn m

1. great many, multitude
2. crowd, swarm, band, flock

References

• Joseph Bosworth and T. Northcote Toller (1898) , “worn”, in An Anglo-Saxon Dictionary, 2nd edition, Oxford: Oxford University Press.