weakly

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. adjective lacking bodily or muscular strength or vitality
  2. adverb in a weak or feeble manner or to a minor degree

Etymology

From Old English wāclīċe (“weakly”), equivalent to weak + -ly (adjectival suffix); compare Old English wāclīċ (“weak; ignoble; mean”), and Old Norse veikligr (“weakly; sick”); both ultimately from Proto-Germanic *waikalīkaz (“weakly; weak”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

decrepit, debile, feeble, infirm, rickety, sapless, weak

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