infirmity

/ɪnˈfɜːrmɪti/
nounIntermediate physical or mental weakness
formal

a physical or mental weakness or disability

Age often brings infirmity, requiring more medical care.

As people get older, they often develop physical weaknesses that need medical attention.

💡

Often used in formal or medical contexts to describe chronic conditions.

Collocations

suffer from infirmityto experience physical or mental weaknessdue to infirmitybecause of physical or mental weakness

💡Pro Tip

Formal Context

Use 'infirmity' in formal or medical writing to describe chronic conditions.

📖Word Origin

From Old French 'enfermeté' (weakness), from Latin 'infirmitas' (weakness), from 'infirmus' (weak).

📝Usage Notes

Often used in formal or medical contexts to describe chronic conditions or disabilities. Avoid using it to describe temporary illnesses.

Word Breakdown

in-
not
prefix
+
firm
strong
root
+
-ity
state of being
suffix
English Dictionary